Introduction
Rewiring a home can be a daunting task, but with the proper precautions and some old school techniques, it doesn't have to be dangerous. In the 1920s, electricians used simple but effective methods to rewire homes safely without electrocution. I decided to rewire my home using these tried and true techniques from a century ago.
In this article, I will walk through the step-by-step process I followed to completely rewire my home without getting shocked or electrocuted. I'll cover safety gear, circuit testing, replacing old wiring, installing new wiring, connecting fixtures, and more. With the right precautions, materials, and methods, anyone can rewire their house the old fashioned way.
Safety First - Equipment You'll Need
Before touching a single wire, safety has to be the top priority. Electrocution is no joke, so having the proper safety gear and equipment is critical. Here's what you'll need:
Insulated Tools
All tools should have insulated rubber handles to prevent accidental shocks. Screwdrivers, wire strippers, pliers, and testing equipment should all be insulated. Better safe than sorry.
Electrical Gloves
Thick rubber gloves rated for electrical work should be worn at all times when handling wires. I prefer gloves that go almost up to the elbow for maximum protection. Make sure there are no rips, tears, or holes!
Safety Glasses
Wearing eye protection ensures you don't get injured by sparks or debris while working on electrical systems. You don't want to take any chances with your vision.
Circuit Tester
An electrical tester allows you to safely determine if a circuit is live. This is a critical safety tool - never assume a circuit is dead based on flipping a breaker. Always validate with a tester first.
Warning Signs
Posting warning signs lets others know electrical work is underway. Signs alert family members not to use water or touch wires. Prevent accidents before they happen.
Testing the Existing Wiring
Before removing any old wiring, the first step is thoroughly testing the existing system. Here's how to confirm which circuits are live versus dead:
Circuit Breakers
The circuit breakers in the breaker box allow you to manually kill power to specific circuits. I flipped each breaker off one at a time to cut electricity to various parts of the house. This simply acts as a preliminary step, always double check that power is off with a circuit tester.
Circuit Tester
With the breaker flipped off, you can touch the circuit tester probes to the wires to confirm power is off. Test hot, neutral, and ground wires to be absolutely sure. Remember, never trust the breakers alone to indicate live versus dead circuits. Verify it for yourself with a tester.
Junction Boxes
You can also open up junction boxes and outlet boxes to test wires with the circuit tester. Touch the probes to the hot and neutral wires coming into the box to confirm there is no power present. Make 100% certain all wiring is dead before touching anything. Better paranoid than electrocuted!
Removing Old Wiring
Now that you are certain which circuits are dead, it's time to start ripping out the old wiring. Go methodically from room to room, removing wires from boxes and pulling them out of the walls. Here are some tips:
Wire Strippers
Use wire strippers to remove insulation from the ends of wires to pull them out of connections. This allows you to free the wires from devices and outlet boxes as you work through the house.
Junction Boxes
Open each junction box and disconnect all the wires. The wires should pull free once you disconnect them from outlets and switches. Make sure to maintain note of what wires go where to allow for correct re-wiring.
Attics and Crawlspaces
Venture into attics and crawlspaces to pull out wiring from those areas as well. Watch for insulation, nails, and other hazards when pulling wires from confined spaces. Wear knee pads and gloves.
Copper Salvage
Salvage the copper wire to recycle for scrap. Carefully strip the insulation off and bundle the copper wire. High copper prices makes salvaging wire worthwhile.
Installing New Wiring
The fun part is finally here - running all the new wiring through the house. Be methodical, safe, and follow code to avoid any hazards.
Gauge Size
Follow code requirements and use the proper gauge size for each wiring run. Heavier 12 or 14 gauge is good for most 15 to 20 amp home circuits. Reference the electrical code for specifics.
Junction Boxes
Shut off power and wire up new circuits into each junction box before closing them up. Carefully connect hot and neutral wires to each outlet, switch etc. Double check connections are tight.
Securing Wires
Use insulated staples to secure new wiring against wall studs and joists. Keep wires neat and out of the way. Don't let wires dangle loosely where they could be damaged.
Testing as You Go
Test wires with a circuit tester as you wire up boxes and connect fixtures. Confirm which wires are live versus dead to avoid any tragic mishaps. Better to be safe as you work through the house methodically.
Cover Plates
Install new electrical cover plates over each box before moving wiring to the next room. This prevents any accidental shorts or electrocution while you work. Stay safe.
Connecting Fixtures and Devices
The home stretch is hooking up all the fixtures like lights, outlets, and switches to the new wires. Go carefully, follow codes, and test frequently.
Lights First
Start by connecting ceiling lights and lamps first. Turn the breaker on and test them before moving on to higher amperage appliances. Take it slow and deliberate.
Outlets
Plug in and test each receptacle as you wire them up. Confirm outlets are wired correctly and test with a circuit tester before plugging in lamps or appliances.
Switches
Test each switch to verify correct hot and neutral connections. Nothing is worse than dead power to a switch. Double check your work as you wire up switches.
Appliances
Lastly, connect larger appliances like stoves, ovens and hot water heaters. These pull more power, so save them for the end after you've validated everything else works properly. Exercise caution.
Final Tests
Do final safety checks when the entire re-wiring is complete. Thoroughly test all connections, look for loose wires, and confirm proper grounding. Don't take any chances with electrical safety.
Wrapping Up
I hope this overview gives you confidence to rewire your home the old fashioned way - safely without electrocution. Follow this methodical process, use the right safety gear, take it slow, and test frequently. While it's tedious work, the skills learned and money saved make it well worth the effort. You got this! Just take it one wire at a time. Stay safe and happy rewiring!