How To Rewire Your Home Without An Electrician And Save Big Money

Introduction

Rewiring your home can seem like a daunting task, but with proper planning and safety precautions, it is possible for a homeowner to rewire their house without hiring an electrician. Doing it yourself can save thousands of dollars in labor costs. However, working with electrical wiring can be dangerous if not done correctly. This guide will walk you through the process of rewiring a home safely and legally as a homeowner.

Reasons To Rewire Your Home

Here are some of the top reasons you may want to rewire your house:

Upgrading To Modern Electrical Systems

• Older homes often have outdated and potentially hazardous electrical systems. Rewiring allows you to upgrade to safer and more efficient modern electrical wiring. This includes upgrading from fuse boxes to circuit breakers.

• Modern wiring provides greater capacity for running multiple devices and appliances at once. It can support increased electrical needs from large appliances and devices that may not have existed when your home was built.

Replacing Faulty And Damaged Wiring

• Old and damaged wiring poses safety risks like electrical fires and shocks. Faulty wiring needs to be replaced.

• Common signs you need rewiring include: frequent tripped breakers, flickering lights, discolored outlets, buzzing/crackling noises from outlets.

Improving Safety

• Upgrading allows you to install GFCIs, AFCIs, and tamper-resistant outlets to prevent electrocution and electrical fires.

• You can also separate overloaded circuits to reduce risk of overheating and fires.

Preparing To Rewire

Before getting started, take steps to prepare for a major rewiring project:

Research Local Building Codes

• Electrical work typically requires permits and inspections. Research your local permitting process and building code requirements.

• Only do work that is permitted for homeowners in your area. Rewiring an entire house may require hiring an electrician.

Create A Rewiring Plan

• Plan which circuits need upgrading and how you will rewire them.

• Decide if you will do a full rewire or just replace certain problem circuits.

Safety Gear

• Protect yourself with proper safety gear like gloves, eye protection, sturdy shoes, and flame-resistant clothes.

• OSHA recommends wearing an electrical-rated hard hat.

Label And Turn Off All Power

• Clearly label each circuit breaker and fuse corresponding to each circuit.

• Turn off power at the main circuit breaker to prevent electrocution while working.

• Always double check circuits with a non-contact voltage tester to confirm power is off.

Removing Old Wiring

Once you have prepped for the project, it is time to remove old wiring:

Remove Plugs, Switches, Fixtures

• Take note of wiring connections and take photos for reference later.

• Disconnect and remove outlets, switches, lighting fixtures, and appliances from old wiring.

Take Out Fuse Box

• Shut off the main power and remove fuse panel cover.

• Disconnect and remove all wires from the old fuse box.

Remove Wires From Walls

• Take down any trim or wall panels covering wiring.

• Pull old wires out from walls and conduit. Coil up and dispose of properly.

• Inspect conduit and junction boxes. Replace damaged ones.

Installing New Wiring

Now you are ready for the key step - running the new wiring through your home:

Choose Wire Gauge And Type

• For 15 amp home circuits, use 14/2 gauge solid core wire with ground. 12/2 gauge for 20 amp circuits.

• Use NM-B wire for home use or UF-B wire for outdoor wiring.

Run Wires Through Walls And Attic

• Extend new wiring from the service panel through walls, attic, basement to each outlet and fixture.

• Use non-metallic cable clamps to secure. Leave some slack at box locations.

Connect Wires At Outlets And Fixtures

• Refer to diagrams to connect hot, neutral and ground wires correctly.

• Anchor wires securely with proper connector screws or clamps.

Installing The New Service Panel

With all new wiring run, it's time to install the new main service panel:

Choose Panel Amperage

• Add up amp ratings of all circuits and choose a panel at least 20% higher.

• For whole home rewire, 200 amp panel is common. 100 amp minimum.

Mount New Panel

• Mount your circuit breaker panel as per manufacturer instructions.

• Connect the grounding wire to panel and grounding rod first.

Connect Wires To Breakers

• Connect wires from each circuit to the corresponding circuit breaker.

• Label and organize wires neatly on panel.

Safety Checks And Inspections

Before turning power back on, complete safety checks:

• Visually inspect all connections and make sure no wires are exposed.

• Check for secure connections by gently tugging wires. They should not budge.

• Use a multimeter to test wires for continuity between endpoints.

• Ensure ground wires connect properly by using a circuit tester.

• When ready, turn power on at panel and test outlets and lights on each circuit.

• Finally, have an electrical inspector check your work and approve through a final inspection.

By methodically following safety procedures and building code, you can successfully rewire your home without hiring an electrician. Pay close attention to safety, get proper permits, and inspect your own work thoroughly. This will save you significant money over hiring an electrician, while still ensuring safe and modern electrical systems.