How to Rewire Your Home without an Electrician and not Get Electrocuted

Introduction

Rewiring a home can be a daunting task, but with proper planning and safety precautions, it is possible for a homeowner to rewire their house without hiring an electrician. I will walk through the complete process step-by-step, covering safety gear, circuit planning, wire routing, outlet and switch installation, connecting wires, and testing the new system. My goal is to provide all the key information I would need to safely rewire a home as an amateur.

Safety First

Before touching any wires, it is absolutely critical to take safety precautions. Electrocution is a real risk when working with electrical systems. Here are the key safety steps I would take:

Purchase and wear arc-flash rated clothing, gloves, and safety glasses. These will provide protection from electrical arcs and sparks.
Use insulated tools designed for electrical work. Never use metal ladders or water pipes when working on wires.
Turn off the main circuit breaker before starting any work. Verify power is off by testing outlets with a multimeter or voltage tester.
Work on only one circuit at a time. Label each circuit at the breaker box as I disconnect it.
Double check wires are not live before touching them by testing with a multimeter.
Never work on wiring alone. Have someone ready to cut power or call for help if needed.
Keep fire extinguisher and first aid kit handy in case of accidents.

Following these critical safety steps will greatly reduce my risk of mistakes and injury.

Planning the New Wiring Layout

Before pulling any new wires, I will plan out my new circuit layout on paper. Key steps in the planning process:

Evaluate how many circuits my electrical panel can support. Typically there is room to add 1-3 new 20 amp circuits.
Decide which rooms and outlets will be on each new circuit. Try to balance the load across circuits.
Draw a rough sketch showing the locations of outlets, switches, lights, major appliances and their associated circuits.
Determine the wire size needed for each circuit. For 20 amp circuits, use 12 AWG solid core wire.
Estimate the length of wire needed for each circuit run based on the sketch. Add extra length for slack.
Plan the wire routing between outlets and switches. Decide on running wires through walls, ceiling, or basement.

Taking the time to carefully map out the circuits will make the installation go smoothly and ensure I purchase the right amount of materials.

Running and Securing the New Wires

With my circuit plan complete, I am ready to run the new wires through the house:

I will run all wires through walls and ceilings to keep them protected and out of sight. Attics and crawl spaces are also option.
To run wires through walls, I will either drill holes through wall studs, or cut open the drywall to expose the studs and drill new holes.
Use cable staples to securely fasten the wires every 4-5 feet as I run them horizontally and vertically. Keep wires neat and tidy.
For ceilings, I can run wires parallel to joists or drill through them. Again use staples to fasten.
Leave 12-18 inches of extra wire at each box location to allow for connections.
Carefully label both ends of each wire run to keep things organized.
Seal all drilled holes with silicone caulk to prevent air leaks. Patch and refinish any drywall openings.

The goal is to keep all wiring out of sight and protected from damage. Taking the time to securely fasten the wires will pay off in the long run.

Installing Outlets, Switches and Lights

Once the wires are run, I can start installing the outlets, switches, lights and junction boxes:

Confirm which wires go to each box location based on my circuit plan sketch.
Mount new plastic boxes if needed to house the wires. Nail them securely in place.
Strip 3/4 inch of insulation from wire ends and connect wires to outlets, switches and lights per manufacturer instructions.
Use wire nuts to join the hot, neutral and ground wires for outlets and lights. Connect the hot wires to the switch terminals.
Carefully fold wires into the boxes keeping hot and neutral wires separated. Tighten cable clamps.
Attach the outlets, switches and light fixtures to the boxes with mounting screws.
Install blank wall plates over each box to cover exposed wires. Mark plates to indicate locations.
Attach ground wires to grounded outlet boxes using ground screws or clips.

Take it slowly and double check all connections. I can leave plates off and test each location before doing final mounting.

Connecting Wires at the Panel

Once all the outlets and switches are wired, I can connect the new circuits back at the main panel:

Shut off the main breaker again before working inside the panel. VERIFY no power!
Determine which new breaker spots to use. Follow spacing rules between existing breakers.
Cut outer insulation so that 6 inches of wire are exposed. Strip 5/8 inch of wire insulation from ends.
Connect hot wires to breakers and neutral wires to the neutral bus bar in the panel.
Connect ground wires together using a wire nut and pigtail. Attach pigtail to ground bus bar.
Neatly route and fold wires inside panel to keep clean and organized.
Label each new circuit at the breaker box.
Carefully examine every wire connection! Loose wires can cause fires.

The panel work wraps up the major wiring tasks. Now I can put covers on and test all the hard work.

Testing and Turning the Power Back On

The final and most important step is thoroughly testing my work before turning the power back on:

Keep the main breaker off! Do not turn power on yet.
Go to each outlet and switch location and check for continuity between hot, neutral and ground using a multimeter. Verify no shorts.
Inspect every wire connection again for tightness. Tug on wires to confirm solid connections.
Ensure all wire staples, clamps and covers are securely in place. No exposed conductors.
Put blank plates over each outlet and switch. Close the panel cover.
Turn breakers on one at a time and test each outlet and switch. Mark any issues.
Fix any problems! Don't leave question marks. Retest until everything works properly.
Once 100% confident in the system, turn main breaker on and do final tests.
Plug in lamps and appliances and test outlets around the house. Verify proper function.

Only when completely satisfied that the wiring is safe and working properly should I consider the rewiring complete. Proper testing takes time but is essential.

Conclusion

While not simple, with good planning, attention to detail, and focus on safety, it is definitely possible for a homeowner to rewire their house without hiring an electrician. The key is taking it slow, sticking to code, and never compromising on safety. If I am uncertain about any aspect, I will consult an expert or electrician before proceeding. With caution and care, I can take on this major DIY project and enjoy the benefits of modern electrical wiring. Just be sure to flip that main breaker off before picking up any tools!