Introduction
Rewiring a home can seem like a daunting task, but with proper planning and safety precautions, I was able to rewire my entire house and save thousands of dollars in the process. In this comprehensive guide, I will walk you through everything I learned about residential rewiring, from acquiring the necessary permits to selecting the right wire and cables.
Reasons to Rewire Your Home
There are several good reasons to rewire a home, including:
Upgrading to Meet Code
- If your home still has outdated knob and tube wiring, rewiring will bring it up to the current electrical code and safety standards. This wiring can be a fire hazard.
Increasing Safety
- Newer wiring is insulated better and grounded properly, reducing the risk of shocks and electrocution.
Expanding Electrical Capacity
- Rewiring allows you to upgrade the service panel and install more circuits to meet the needs of more appliances and devices.
Improving Reliability
- New wiring and breakers can prevent blown fuses, flickering lights, and other annoying electrical issues.
Acquiring Permits
Before starting any rewiring project, it is crucial to obtain the proper permits from your local building department.
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I submitted an application with my planned scope of work, including which circuits I would be changing.
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The permit cost varies by jurisdiction. For my 1,200 square foot house, it was around $150.
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With the permit displayed, I had legal permission to do the work myself.
Planning the New Wiring
Careful planning is essential for a smooth rewiring project.
Evaluating Electrical Load
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I took inventory of all devices and appliances on each circuit to understand my home's electrical needs.
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This told me what amperage each new circuit should be rated for.
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For example, having 1000W on a 15 amp circuit means it should be upgraded to 20 amps.
Choosing Wire Size
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The wire size must match the amperage rating to handle the load safely.
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For 15 amp circuits, I used 14 AWG copper wire. For 20 amps, I used 12 AWG wire.
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Copper is preferred over aluminum wire for DIY homes.
Mapping Circuits
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I created a detailed diagram of where each new circuit would run and what it would supply power to.
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This was useful for troubleshooting later.
Removing Old Wiring
With the permits and plan ready, it was time to start replacing the old wiring.
Turning Off Power
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I turned off the main breaker to cut power to the whole house.
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I also turned off individual breakers and unplugged appliances for safety.
Removing Knob and Tube Wiring
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Old wiring like knob and tube is often brittle or loose inside walls.
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I carefully extracted it from the attic and walls as I worked.
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Any wires too difficult to remove were cut back and capped off.
Taking Out Old Breakers
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The outdated fuse box had to be replaced with a modern circuit breaker panel.
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I removed each old breaker corresponding to a circuit I was rewiring.
Running New Wires
The real work began when it was time to run the new wires through the house.
Securing Cables
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I used staples to securely attach the new cables every 4-6 feet as I went.
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Cable clamps secured the wires entering and exiting electrical boxes.
Fishing Wire Through Walls
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For tricky areas, I used fish tape to pull cables through stud bays and ceilings.
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Running cables through finished walls was tedious, but doable with patience.
Leaving Extra Length
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When wiring outlets and switches, I left 12-18 inches of extra cable.
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This made it easier if any box needed to be moved slightly in the future.
Installing New Breaker Panel
The new electrical service panel is the backbone of an updated electrical system.
Selecting a Panel
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I chose a 200 amp main breaker panel to provide ample capacity for a modern home.
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Look for a UL listed panel from a reputable brand.
Mounting the Panel
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I securely mounted the panel as centrally as possible to make wiring easier.
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It must be readily accessible - I mounted mine in the garage.
Running Ground Wires
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Grounding wires from each circuit were securely clamped onto the ground bus bar.
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I also bonded the panel to copper grounding rods outside.
Making Connections
The most technical step was correctly connecting all the new wires to outlets, switches and breakers.
Outlets and Switches
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I securely fastened hot, neutral and ground wires to the screws on each receptacle and switch.
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Outlets were wired with pigtails to facilitate replacing them someday.
Breakers
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Each circuit's hot wire was tightened under the screw on the corresponding breaker.
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Double check the amp rating of each breaker matches the wires it's connected to.
Labels
- I used circuit directory labels inside the panel to document what each breaker controls. This helps with troubleshooting later.
Wrapping Up the Project
Once all electrical connections were made, there were a few finishing touches to complete.
Testing Circuits
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I turned the main breaker back on and flipped each new breaker on to verify power at outlets.
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I checked for any loose connections by feeling for hot wires or outlets.
Closing Walls
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Opening walls can get messy, so I patched and repainted all holes after running wires.
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I also replaced insulation to restore fire separation and energy efficiency.
Final Inspection
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My completed work passed the final electrical inspection from the town.
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Now I can enjoy a new, robust, and safe electrical system!
Conclusion
While rewiring a house is very labor intensive, it can certainly be tackled by a knowledgeable DIYer. Paying an electrician easily could have cost me $8,000-$12,000 for the scope of work I took on. But by educating myself, getting the proper permits, planning carefully, and working safely, I was able to update my home's electrical system and save a tremendous amount of money. If you take the necessary precautions, you can rewire your outdated home and bring it up to modern safety standards. Just be sure to call in a professional if any part of the process does not seem totally clear or manageable.