How to Rewire Your Home Without Dying – Lesser Known Electrical Wiring Methods Our Grandfathers Used

Introduction

Rewiring a home can seem like a daunting task, but with proper planning and safety precautions, it is very doable as a DIY project. Our grandfathers used electrical wiring methods that are lesser known today, but can make rewiring safer, easier and more affordable. In this article, I will walk through everything you need to know to rewire your home the old-fashioned way, without electrocuting yourself.

Why Rewire Your Home?

There are several reasons you may want to rewire your house:

• Upgrading to a higher amperage - If your home still has 60 amp service, rewiring with 100 or 200 amp service enables you to run more high power appliances and electronics simultaneously.

• Changing from fuses to circuit breakers - Circuit breaker panels are safer and more convenient than old fuse boxes. Rewiring allows upgrading to a modern breaker panel.

• Improving safety - If your wiring is very old, the insulation may be brittle or deteriorated, posing a fire or shock hazard. Rewiring gives you safe, up-to-code wiring.

• Remodeling - Any significant remodeling requires updating the wiring to support added circuits and switches.

Dangers of DIY Home Wiring

While rewiring a house yourself can save thousands of dollars in electrician fees, it also comes with risks, such as:

• Electrocution - Incorrectly handled live wires can result in severe injury or death. Make sure all wires are completely dead before working on them.

• Fire - Faulty wiring can overheat and ignite surrounding materials. Use extreme care to create solid, safe connections.

• Damaging your home's electrical system - Mistakes can fry electrical components or require re-doing major parts of the rewiring.

How Our Grandfathers Wired Homes

Here are some of the key techniques our grandfathers used when wiring homes in the early-to-mid 20th century:

Knob and Tube Wiring

This very early wiring method uses insulated wires run through ceramic knobs and tubes attached to structural framing. It has largely been replaced by modern Romex cables and can be tricky to work with, but is grandfathered in in many areas and can be adapted.

Armored Cable (BX)

BX features insulated wires encased in a flexible metal sheathing. It was an early version of modern armored cable and can still be used safely today by carefully attaching proper modern fittings.

Conduit Wiring

Conduit wiring runs wires through hollow pipes or tubes to protect and conceal them. This allows easy replacement of individual wires and provides very rugged protection. Plastic PVC conduit has largely replaced old steel conduit pipes today.

Cloth-Covered NM Cable

This early version of Romex cable featured rubber-insulated wires wrapped in a cloth covering. The aged cloth coverings can be hazardous today, but the wire can be salvaged and run through modern NM plastic sheathing.

Safely Accessing and Examining Electrical Wiring

Before rewiring, you need to closely examine your existing wiring to see what needs upgrading. Here is how to do it safely:

• Turn off all main breakers/unscrew fuses. Test wires with a non-contact voltage tester to be SURE power is off.

• Remove cover plates from switches and outlets to access wiring.

• Carefully remove any insulation/walls concealing wires using keyhole saws, chisels or drywall cutouts. Watch for hidden wires!

• Label each wire with tape flags noting which circuit it belongs to before disconnecting anything.

• Test wires before touching them! Old wiring can have undiscovered live power sources.

Removing and Replacing Old Wiring

Once you have accessed and tested the old wiring, it's time to remove it. Here are some tips:

• Carefully unscrew old fixtures, switches and outlets to free wires.

• Attach fish tape to old wires to pull them out of their runs. For difficult runs, detach wires from their end points instead and pull them out.

• Make note of any box positions, holes or conduits that wiring passed through and will need to be re-used.

• Vacuum dust thoroughly out of any open walls, outlets or other exposed areas once wiring is removed.

Installing New Wiring and Components

The fun part is finally installing the beautiful new wiring! Follow these guidelines:

• Carefully measure wire runs and cut new wiring to proper lengths, leaving 6-8 extra inches on each end.

• Before pulling wires, spray lubricant inside conduit runs or outlet/switch boxes to ease the pulling.

• Gently pull new wiring through all runs, conduits and openings created during removal. Don't force! Go slowly.

• Allow slack at outlets and switches for connecting. Re-attach components securely.

• Use wire nuts, crimp connectors or solder for super solid connections. No loose wires allowed.

• Anchor cable runs with proper staples/fasteners every 4-6 feet. Don't let cables droop or sag anywhere.

Safety First! Vital Precautions to Take

Rewiring a house is dangerous work if proper safety isn't followed. Here are some of the essential safety steps to take:

• Wear electrical gloves and long sleeves at all times when handling wires.

• Use a fiberglass ladder, never metal, when working on overhead wires.

• Turn power OFF and verify wires are dead before touching them. Death can come in an instant.

• When power must be on for testing, work with only one hand to avoid accidental shock paths.

• Keep a charged fire extinguisher right next to you. Put out any sparks immediately.

• Install GFCI outlets as an extra protection ESPECIALLY where water is present.

• If a task seems overly dangerous for you, hire an electrician just for that part. Some things aren't DIY-able.

Final Touches and Turning Power Back On

You're so close to the finish line! Double check everything and get ready to juice it up:

• Do a final check that all connections are tight with no exposed wire.

• Replace any access panels or drywall removed during installation.

• Ensure no tools/materials/debris are anywhere in the wiring paths.

• Go around the house turning on every switch to check for functionality.

• Carefully turn main power back on. Listen and look closely for any signs of trouble.

• If all seems well, switch every circuit on at the breaker box.

• Do a happy dance and pat yourself on the back for a job well done!

Conclusion

Rewiring your home the old-fashioned way takes patience, care and attention to safety, but can save thousands of dollars and give great satisfaction. Follow the guidelines outlined here closely. Although it's hard work, the payoff is enjoying your home's next 100 years wired up with modern electrical capacity. Our grandfathers would be proud!