Introduction
Rewiring a home can be extremely dangerous if you don't know what you're doing. Our ancestors used time-tested methods to stay safe while upgrading the wiring in their homes. In this article, I will share the lost rewiring techniques of our forebears so you can rewire your home without electrocuting yourself.
Assess the Current Wiring
Before beginning any rewiring project, you need to thoroughly assess the current wiring situation. Here are some key steps:
Examine the Electrical Panel
- Open the main electrical panel and look for any signs of damage like discolored/burnt breakers, frayed wiring, or corrosion.
- Check if the current amperage capacity meets your household needs. Older homes may need an upgrade to support more appliances and electronics.
- Identify the type of wiring already in place. This helps determine compatibility with new wiring.
Check All Fixtures and Outlets
- Remove cover plates and inspect the wiring behind electrical outlets and switches for damage.
- Verify grounding wires are properly connected. Ungrounded outlets can lead to electrocution.
- Ensure load balancing by noting which circuit breaker controls each outlet.
Look Inside Walls, Attic, Basement
- Open access panels to see inside walls and examine the condition of wiring running through the house.
- Check the attic and basement for exposed wiring and hazardous connections.
Thorough assessment allows you to develop a comprehensive rewiring plan specific to your home's needs.
Use Proper Safety Equipment and Precautions
Electrical work can be extremely hazardous. Use the following safety gear and precautions:
Wear Insulated Gloves and Eye Protection
- Thick rubber insulating gloves up to your elbows prevent shocks.
- Safety goggles protect your eyes from sparks and wire clippings.
Turn Off Power at the Breaker
- Shut off the main breaker switch and verify power is off by testing outlets.
- Even with the main breaker off, wires can still hold dangerous residual charge.
Install GFCIs
- Ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) instantly break the circuit if leakage is detected.
- Use portable GFCIs until the new wiring is fully installed and tested.
Regularly Double-Check Connections
- Wiggling wires can loosen connections over time and cause arcing/sparks.
- Triple check connections are tight before turning power back on.
Work One Circuit at a Time
- Focus your rewiring efforts on one complete circuit at a time.
- Never leave wires hanging out of boxes powered up to "finish later."
Choose the Right Wire Gauge and Type
Selecting appropriate wiring is key for safety and performance:
Wire Gauge
- Higher gauge number = thinner wire diameter. Common gauges are 14, 12, and 10.
- Lower voltage lighting/outlet circuits only need 14 gauge. Major appliances need thicker 12 or 10 gauge.
Conductor Material
- Copper wiring is the gold standard - highly conductive and less prone to overheating.
- Aluminum wiring requires special connections to avoid oxidation/overheating hazards.
Insulation
- PVC insulation is inexpensive and sufficient for most indoor wiring.
- Outdoor wiring may need upgraded insulation like XHHW polyethylene.
Wire Count
- Modern wiring is 2-conductor with ground. Older homes used outdated 3-conductor.
- Know your wire count to ensure proper connections.
Choosing wiring to match your home's voltage and amperage prevents dangerous overheating and fires.
Secure Proper Permits and Oversight
While permits and inspections aren't mandatory for homeowners, they provide an extra layer of safety and oversight:
Permits
- Building permits ensure your rewiring plans meet local codes and specifications.
- Licensed electricians can obtain permits for you in many areas.
Pre-Drywall Inspection
- An inspector verifies wiring connections and grounding before the walls get closed up.
- This catches any mistakes before they get buried forever inside your walls.
Final Inspection
- The final inspection checks for proper breaker amperages, wire gauges, outlet placement, and safety.
- The inspector will confirm it is safe to energize the new wiring and close the permits.
Proper permits and inspections give you peace of mind that your new wiring is truly safe for your family.
Test Every Connection Before Turning Power Back On
Before re-energizing the newly wired home, meticulously test all connections:
Continuity Test
- Use a multimeter to verify copper continuity between connected endpoints.
- Continuity confirms a complete conductive pathway with no shorts or severed connections.
Ground Verification
- Test that all ground wires show conductivity back to the main electrical panel.
- Solid grounding is extremely important for preventing shocks.
Wiggle Test
- Physically wiggle each wire connection and junction while watching for conductivity fluctuations.
- Intermittent conductivity indicates a loose connection that needs to be tightened.
Turn Breakers Back On One at a Time
- Switch the main breaker back on but leave individual circuits powered down.
- Flip each circuit on one-by-one while checking for proper outlet functionality.
Thorough testing protects against sparks, shorts, and electrocution once the juice gets turned back on.
Conclusion
Rewiring a home has inherent dangers if proper precautions aren't taken. Following the techniques used by our ancestors - like wearing protective gear, securing permits, meticulously testing connections, and focusing on one circuit at a time – allows you to upgrade wiring safely just like the old-timers did. While challenging, rewiring your home enables you to gain experience working with electrical systems and customize your home's power delivery for optimal safety, efficiency, and capacity. Just be sure to research local codes thoroughly and call in licensed help if any part of the process falls outside your skill level. Stay safe!