How To Rewire Your 100 Year Old Home Without Burning it Down

Introduction

Rewiring a 100 year old home can be daunting, but with proper planning and safety precautions it can be done safely. As the owner of a century home myself, I have learned firsthand how to navigate this project. In this article, I will share my experience and advice for updating the wiring in an old house without accidents or injuries.

Assess the Existing Electrical System

Before beginning any rewiring project, it's important to understand what you're working with. Here are some key steps:

Inventory all visible wiring and components

• Walk through the entire home and take notes and photos of all electrical fixtures, outlets, switches, fuse boxes, etc. This will give you a baseline understanding of what's already there.

Identify potential hazards or code violations

• Look for exposed, frayed or damaged wiring. Outdated fuse boxes, undersized wires, and lack of grounding wires are common in old homes. These can present fire and shock risks.

Consider hiring an electrician for an assessment

• An electrician can run tests to detect any underlying issues that may not be visible. They can also advise you on the overall condition of the system and point out any violations. This info can inform your rewiring plan.

Create a Rewiring Plan

With all the information gathered from assessing your existing system, you can now develop a plan for the rewiring project.

Prioritize fixes for hazards and code violations

• Focus first on any glaring issues identified, like lack of grounding wires or overload on circuits.

Decide how much you want to DIY vs hire out

• Some homeowners feel comfortable doing the entirety of the rewiring themselves. Others prefer to have an electrician handle the trickier parts like the main electrical panel. Assess your skill level and consider involving a professional for at least consultation.

Develop a phased approach

• You don't necessarily need to rewire the entire home all at once. Consider a phased approach focusing on one room or circuit at a time.

Apply for required permits

• Most jurisdictions require permits for electrical work. Research permit requirements for your area and submit applications well in advance of starting work.

Take Safety Precautions

Any electrical project comes with risks, so following safety best practices is crucial when rewiring an old home yourself.

Turn off power at the main panel

• Always flip the main breaker to cut power fully before doing any electrical work. Verify it's off using a voltage tester.

Wear personal protective equipment

• This includes insulated gloves, eye protection, and proper shoes. Make sure tools are properly insulated as well.

Don't work alone

• Have someone else present in case of an emergency. They don't need electrical skills, just the ability to cut power or call for help if needed.

Allow no exceptions on safety rules

• It's not worth risking injury or fire just to save time or effort. Follow safety protocols without any shortcuts.

Install New Wiring and Components

Finally, once your plan is in place and safeties ready, it's time to execute the rewiring itself.

Run new wires through walls and conduits

• Map out wiring runs and install boxes, conduits, and cables throughout the home's walls and attics. Use modern wiring gauges suitable for expected electrical loads.

Replace fuse and breaker boxes

• Swap out those antique fuse boxes for modern circuit breaker panels with ample capacity. This also facilitates grounding and GFCI outlets.

Update receptacles, switches and fixtures

• Install modern grounded outlets, light switches, and code-compliant lighting fixtures. Simplify connections with twist-on connectors.

Connect new wires to existing where possible

• Limit demolition by tying new home runs into old branch wiring where feasible. But replace aged branch wiring if deterioration is detected.

Label everything clearly

• Maintain labels on each wire and connection so future work can be done safely and efficiently.

Have Work Inspected Prior to Re-Energizing

Before turning power back on:

• Call for final inspections by the local building department. Secure approval that all work meets code.
• Verify all connections are complete and covered safely. Close up all walls and panel covers.
• Only after formal approval should you re-energize the system. Then test outlets and lighting to confirm proper function.

Rewiring a century home takes time and diligence. But taking a careful, phased approach and upholding safety makes it very achievable without disaster. Follow the steps outlined above, and you can give your old house a modern, reliable electrical system for decades to come.