Introduction
Rewiring a home can be a daunting task, but with proper planning and precautions, it can be done safely without hiring an electrician. As a homeowner, being able to do minor electrical work can save thousands of dollars in electrician fees over the years. This guide will walk you through the basics of home electrical systems, the tools and materials needed, safety precautions, step-by-step instructions, and tips to rewire your home safely on your own.
Understanding Home Electrical Systems
Before beginning any electrical project, it's important to understand the basics of how home electrical systems work. Here's a quick overview:
The Main Service Panel
The main service panel, usually located outside near the electric meter, is the central hub of your home's electrical system. This panel has a main shutoff breaker, as well as individual circuit breakers that serve different areas of the home. The main service wires, usually 120/240-volt, enter the top of the panel.
Circuit Breakers
Circuit breakers act like automated switches, opening the circuit if it becomes overloaded. Standard breakers are either 15 or 20 amps. Know which circuit controls each part of your home before beginning any electrical project.
Wiring
Copper wiring carries electric current through your home. Most branch circuits use 14 or 12 gauge wire. Different colored insulation identifies hot wires (black, red), neutral (white), and ground (green or bare copper).
Outlets and Switches
Outlets and switches are tied into the home's wiring system by connecting to hot and neutral wires. Always turn off power at the breaker before working on any outlet or switch.
Grounding
Grounding protects you from shocks by providing a safe path for electricity to flow to the ground. All switches, outlets, and metal junction boxes must be properly grounded.
Gather the Right Tools and Materials
Rewiring a room or area of your home will require having the right tools and materials on hand. Here's a list of electrical basics to get:
- Voltage tester - To safely check for live wires
- Wire strippers - For stripping insulation off wires
- Needlenose pliers - For bending and holding wires in place
- Electrical tape - For insulating bare wires
- Wire nuts - For connecting wires together
- Junction boxes - For housing wire connections
- Electrical staples - For securing wires to studs and joists
- Romex cable - The wiring you'll run between boxes
- Wall plates - To cover switches and outlets
Make sure you have the right amperage and size breaker for the wire gauge you'll be using. Having extra supplies on hand like boxes, clamps, and staples will save you time and trips to the hardware store during your project.
Safety Tips
Working with electricity obviously comes with serious safety hazards if proper precautions are not taken. Here are some key safety tips:
- Turn off power at the main breaker panel and verify it's off with a voltage tester before working.
- Be aware of all existing wiring in the area you'll be working.
- Wear safety goggles, gloves, long sleeves and pants while handling wires.
- Never work on live wires. Double check wires with a voltage tester.
- Don't undertake projects beyond your skill level.
- Keep electrical tools away from water.
- Use fiberglass ladders when working with electrical wires.
- Cap off unused wires and insulate connections.
Having a safety-first mindset is crucial. Always turn power OFF and double check with a voltage tester before touching any wires during your project.
Step-by-Step Guide
With safety, prep work, tools, and materials ready, now let's walk through the key steps of rewiring a room:
1. Turn Off Power and Remove Old Wires
Shut off power to the room at the main service panel by switching the correct circuit breaker to OFF. Verify power is off by testing outlets with a voltage tester. Remove any old switches, outlet covers, and light fixtures in the room. Take out the older existing wires by unscrewing them from the boxes and pulling them out.
2. Plan the New Wiring Layout
Decide where you want switches, lights, and outlets placed. Draw up a simple diagram mapping out your new wiring plan. Plan where your new electrical box locations will be and how the new wires will run between them. Leave an extra 16 inches or so of wire at boxes so connections are easy to make.
3. Run the New Wires
Start by drilling holes and mounting new electrical boxes where needed. Use a drill or hammer to make holes through joists and studs for running your new wires. Secure your new NM-B electrical cables with staples approximately every 4.5 ft as you run them between boxes and through framing. Use wire strippers to remove insulation.
4. Make the Wire Connections
Following your wiring diagram, connect the exposed copper ends of your cables to the correct terminals on the switches, outlets, lights and ceiling boxes you've mounted. Secure wires together with wire nuts, matching like colors. Make sure ground wires are connected in each box.
5. Finish the Installation
With all new wires run and connections made securely, neatly tuck wires into boxes leaving 6 inches of slack. Secure boxes to framing with screws if necessary. Attach cover plates and light fixtures. Double check grounding and that no bare wires are exposed.
6. Turn Power Back On and Test
With everything mounted, go to your main panel and switch the circuit for the rewired room back ON. With your voltage tester, verify power is running to all new switches and outlets. Test functionality by turning lights and appliances on in the area. If a breaker trips, inspect that box for loose wires.
With power back on, your rewired room should now be fully functional! You just saved yourself hundreds or even thousands of dollars by safely rewiring the room on your own.
Tips and Considerations
Here are some additional tips to keep in mind for your DIY home rewiring project:
- For safety, only work on small circuits like rooms or areas of the home per project.
- Rewiring the entire home service panel or high voltage projects should be left to a licensed electrician only.
- Consider upgrading to a 200 amp service panel if needed for your home and family's electrical needs.
- Only use the correct size wire for the amperage circuit. For 20 amp breakers use 12 gauge; for 15 amp use 14 gauge.
- When running cables, leave an extra loop so connections aren't strained.
- Wear safety gear and test wires before touching to prevent shocks or electrocution.
Conclusion
Rewiring a room or section of your home is a project any competent DIYer can tackle. Following safe practices and the steps outlined above will allow you to upgrade outdated wiring or reconfigure your home's circuits without hiring an expensive electrician. Just be sure to acquire the necessary tools and materials, create a plan, turn off power at the main breaker, and focus on safety first!