Introduction
Rewiring your home can seem like a daunting task, but with some planning and basic electrical knowledge, I was able to rewire the outlets and switches in my home for under $100. While working with household electricity always carries some risk, the steps below will help you update the wiring in your home safely and affordably.
Things You Will Need
Before getting started, I gathered the necessary materials:
- Wire strippers - to strip insulation from electrical wires
- Voltage tester - to make sure power is off before working
- Electrical tape - for insulating wires
- Wire nuts - to join wires together
- Electrical boxes and covers - I opted for simple plastic boxes and covers
- 12 AWG solid core wire - for running new circuits
- Phillips screwdriver - for installing boxes and covers
- Stud finder - to locate studs for mounting boxes
- Circuit breakers - check your electrical panel for size needed
In total, these supplies cost me around $60 at the hardware store. I already had some basic tools like the screwdriver and stud finder.
Turning Off Power and Removing Old Wiring
Safety is paramount when working with electrical wiring. Before doing anything else:
- Turn off the main power at the circuit breaker box
- Test wires and outlets with a voltage tester to make absolutely sure power is off
- Remove any existing outlet and switch covers
- Take pictures of the existing wiring for reference
- Carefully remove the old wires from the electrical boxes
Be sure to note any ground wires and separate neutral/hot wires as you remove them. We will need to replicate these wire connections in the new electrical boxes.
Running New Wiring
Now the fun part - running the new wires through the house:
- I decided to rewire one room at a time to keep things simple
- Use a stud finder to mark stud locations on the wall
- At each box location, use a drywall saw to cut an appropriate sized hole for the electrical box, making sure boxes will be flush with finished wall surface
- Feed the new wire through holes in the studs - it's easiest to start an end of the run and push wire through
- Leave plenty of extra wire at each box, at least 6 inches
- Use staples to attach the wire to the studs for stability
Take it slow and be methodical as you work your way through the room.
Connecting Switches and Outlets
With the new wire run, it's time to add the switches and outlets:
- Attach electrical boxes using screws into the studs
- Use wire strippers to strip about 1/2 inch of insulation from each wire
- Connect ground wires to ground screws or clips in boxes
- For outlets, attach hot wires to brass colored terminals and neutral wires to silver
- For switches, connect hot wires to darker colored terminals
- Use wire nuts to join the connections securely
- Double check connections against wiring diagram before stuffing wires into boxes
- Install outlet and switch covers
Refer to the manufacturer's wiring diagrams for guidance on proper connections.
Return Power and Test
Once everything is connected, it's time to finish up:
- Turn power back on at the breaker box
- Carefully test each switch and outlet with a voltage tester to confirm power
- Replace any switch plates and outlet covers removed earlier
- Thoroughly check for any loose connections by gently tugging wires
- Use electrical tape as needed to insulate connections
- Turn breakers back on and test lighting circuits as well
Take your time with the testing to catch any issues before closing up all the walls. Consider leaving wall plates off for a day or two as an extra precaution when checking for problems.
Final Thoughts
While not necessarily a beginner project, rewiring a room is very doable for a handy homeowner. The most important steps are turning power off, running wires neatly through studs, making solid electrical connections, and thoroughly testing your work. Taking precautions will allow you to refresh the wiring in your home and gain valuable electrical experience.