How to Rewire Your 1850s Farmhouse Without Burning it Down

Introduction

Rewiring an old farmhouse can be a daunting task, but with proper planning and care it can be accomplished safely. As the owner of a 150 year old farmhouse myself, I have recently gone through this process. In this article, I will share the steps I took to rewire my 1850s farmhouse without any fires or electrocutions.

Evaluate the Existing Electrical System

The first step is to understand what you are working with. Here are some key things I looked at:

• Type of wiring: Older homes often have knob and tube wiring which can be a fire hazard. Identifying this early is important.
• Circuit breaker vs fuse box: Upgrading to a circuit breaker panel may be necessary.
• Number of circuits: More circuits allow appliances and lights to be distributed more efficiently.
• Grounded vs ungrounded: Grounded circuits are safer. Ungrounded wiring needs to be addressed.
• Wire gauge: Heavier gauge wire may be needed for larger appliance loads.

I enlisted the help of a licensed electrician to assess my existing system. Getting a professional opinion early on can save a lot of headaches down the road.

Create a Rewiring Plan

Once I understood the state of my farmhouse's electrical system, I was able to map out a plan for the rewiring project:

• New circuit breaker panel - The old fuse box needed to be replaced with a 200 amp circuit breaker panel to handle the home's electrical demand.

• New wiring - All knob and tube wiring would be replaced with modern NM 12/2 cable with ground.

• Increase circuits - Additional lighting and appliance circuits would be added to replace overloaded existing circuits.

• Add grounded outlets - Grounded 3-prong outlets would be installed for safety.

• Meet code requirements - All work would be permitted and inspected to meet the National Electric Code (NEC).

Take the time to make a detailed rewiring plan. Having an end goal will make the project go much smoother.

Safely Remove Old Wiring

With rewiring, you'll want to remove the old wiring before installing the new. Taking out old knob and tube wiring must be done with care:

• Turn off power - Turn off power at the main breaker before touching any wiring. Verify it is off.

• Test wires before cutting - Use a multimeter or voltage tester to be absolutely sure old wires are dead.

• Remove in sections - Take out wiring in manageable sections, so you don't get confused.

• Label circuits - Label each end of old wires before disconnecting so you know where they were routed.

• Cap ends - Cap any dead wires that will remain in the walls.

• Exercise caution - Watch for old insulation falling apart as you remove old wires.

Follow these safety steps and you can methodically remove old wiring without any nasty surprises.

Install New Wiring and Devices

The fun part is installing fresh, new wiring throughout your farmhouse. Focus on one circuit at a time:

• Use NM cable - Run bundled 12/2 cable with ground from the panel for each circuit.

• Drill with care - Use a drill guide when drilling holes to avoid hitting existing wires.

• Run wires neatly - Use wire staples to keep cables tidy and out of the way.

• Label everything - Label each wire entering the panel and each outlet/switch box.

• Connect grounds - Connect all ground wires and outlets to the ground bar in the panel.

• Make tight splices - Use wire nuts to join wires with tight, secure connections.

• Mount devices snug - Install outlets, switches and cover plates so there are no gaps.

Taking it slowly and methodically is the key. It may take more time, but the results will be well worth it.

Hire an Electrician If Unsure

A final tip - if at any point you feel unsure or uncomfortable, stop and call an electrician. Your safety is not worth taking risks over.

Pro-tips:

• Hire an electrician just to assess the existing setup. Get a second opinion on your rewiring plan.

• Ask an electrician to handle the trickiest parts like installing the new panel or final hookups.

• Have an electrician check your work, test connections, and ensure proper grounding.

Their experienced eyes can catch any mistakes and identify potential hazards. Spending some extra on a pro can prevent expensive - and dangerous - problems down the road.

Conclusion

Rewiring an old farmhouse takes planning and care, but it can be accomplished safely. The key is taking it step-by-step:

• Evaluate the existing electrical system
• Create a detailed rewiring plan
• Safely remove old wiring
• Meticulously install new wiring and devices
• Bring in electrician expertise when needed

Follow these guidelines and you can have peace of mind knowing your farmhouse's electrical system is totally modernized and running safely for decades to come.

Let me know if you have any questions! I'm happy to provide more details on my experiences rewiring my 1850s farmhouse.