Introduction
Rewiring your home can seem like a daunting task, but with proper planning and safety precautions, it is possible for a diligent DIYer to rewire their home without hiring an electrician or obtaining a permit. As someone who has successfully rewired my own home, I want to share my step-by-step process to help other beginners understand how to do this in a safe and effective manner.
In this comprehensive guide, I will walk through the entire process, from deciding what needs rewiring, to selecting the right materials, to wiring circuits and outlets. We'll cover safety tips, required tools and equipment, wiring methods, and testing your work. Follow along carefully, take your time, and you can gain the skills and confidence to rewire your home.
Determining What Needs Rewiring
The first step is deciding what parts of your home's electrical system need to be rewired. There are a few main reasons you may need or want to rewire:
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Upgrading from old, outdated wiring - If your home still has knob and tube wiring or cloth-wrapped wiring, rewiring with modern NM (nonmetallic) cable is recommended for safety.
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Insufficient circuits or outlets - Rewiring can allow you to add more electrical circuits and outlets for increased convenience and to meet modern electrical demands.
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Fixing problems or failures - Faulty wiring that results in flickering lights, tripping breakers, or outlets not working will need to be replaced.
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Remodeling - Anytime you redo walls, kitchens, bathrooms or living spaces, it's an opportunity to update the wiring.
Carefully inspect your electrical panel, outlets, switches and fixtures to determine problem areas. I recommend rewiring one room or circuit at a time so you don't overly disrupt your household.
Gathering the Right Materials
Once you've determined the scope of your rewiring project, it's important to get the right materials and tools. Here's what you'll need:
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NM (nonmetallic) cable - Get the correct gauge size for the circuits you're running. For 15 amp circuits, use 14/2 cable. For 20 amp circuits, use 12/2 cable.
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Electrical boxes - You'll need new plastic boxes for mounting outlets, switches and junctions. Make sure they match your home.
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Circuit breakers - Check your electrical panel to determine the correct breaker size and amperage you need.
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Wire connectors - Get quality twist-on wire connectors. Avoid wire nuts.
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Electrical tape - To protect connections.
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Wire strippers - For removing insulation from wiring.
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Voltage tester - Essential for safely testing wires are dead.
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Drill/bits - For drilling holes to run wiring.
Consult local building codes for any specifications on materials to ensure compliance. You want safe, durable wiring.
Safety Tips
Working with electrical wiring can be dangerous. Make safety your top priority with these tips:
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Turn off power at the main panel - Use a non-contact voltage tester to doubly ensure power is off before working.
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Work on only one circuit at a time - Label each circuit carefully so you can restore proper connections.
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Wear insulating gloves - Make sure gloves are rated for the voltage in your home.
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Use a fiberglass ladder - Never use metal ladders which conduct electricity.
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Keep flammable materials away - Don't risk sparks igniting flammable materials nearby.
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Follow local building and fire codes - Check your local regulations for any wiring requirements.
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Get help if needed - If you feel unsure about any aspect, consult an electrician. Safety comes first.
Proper planning, caution, and focusing on one step at a time will allow you to rewire safely.
Methods for Running New Wiring
How you run new wiring will depend on your home's construction. Here are some common methods:
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Attics - Attics provide easy access between floors and walls. Be careful of insulation and crawl spaces.
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Basements/Crawl Spaces - Similarly, basements allow access under floors for running wiring.
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Wall Cavities - Removing drywall to expose wall stud bays allows running vertical wiring. This causes more mess but hides wiring.
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Conduits - Electrical conduit provides protected pathways for wire. Good for more exposed locations.
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Junction Boxes - Required whenever joining multiple wiring cables. Connect wires securely inside.
Take time to carefully plan pathways for running wires to each new outlet or switch. Avoid splices when possible. Pull cables gently to avoid damage. Use cable staples to attach to studs or joists.
Wiring Switches and Outlets
The key wiring steps are connecting switches, outlets, lights and other loads to your new electrical circuits:
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Outlet wiring - Use the side screw terminals to connect hot, neutral and ground wires. Follow diagrams.
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Switch wiring - Connect line, load, neutral and ground wires to appropriate switch terminals.
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Lights/Fans - Connect fixture wires to hot, neutral and ground with wire nuts.
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Appliances - Follow manufacturer instructions for wiring connections.
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Junction boxes - Use to join multiple cables. Securely twist all ground wires together with wire connector.
Follow local codes for inside-wall box sizes, cable clamps, and number of wires permitted inside boxes. Take it slowly to make sure all wiring connections are done properly.
Testing Your Work
Once wiring is complete, it's critical to test your work thoroughly:
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Carefully examine every connection, junction box, and wire run to check for problems.
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Verify ground wires are properly connected and grounded to boxes.
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Use a multimeter to test for continuity of circuits.
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Inspect for any loose, damaged or frayed wiring.
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With power still off, restore circuits one at a time. As you restore power, methodically test each outlet, switch and light to confirm proper function.
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Walk through the entire house, testing each outlet to catch any missed connections.
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Finally, turn on larger appliances and heating/cooling systems to test for proper voltage and operation.
Only after extensive testing should you consider your rewiring complete. Check your local building codes for any required inspections or paperwork.
Conclusion
Rewiring your home is a major project, but with diligence and caution it can be tackled by an ambitious DIYer. Follow my tips for planning your wiring strategy, gathering the right supplies, running new wiring, making proper connections, and thoroughly testing your work.
Take it slowly, adhere to safety procedures, and don't be afraid to get help when needed. Do your research and follow local building codes. Be meticulous at every step, and you can gain a tremendous sense of accomplishment taking this project on yourself. You'll save substantial money, and improve your home's electrical system for safety and functionality.