How to Rewire Your Home’s Electrical System for Added Safety Without Hiring an Electrician

Introduction

Rewiring a home can seem like a daunting task, but with proper planning and safety precautions, it is possible for a homeowner to do it themselves without hiring an electrician. There are several reasons why you may want to rewire your home, including upgrading to a higher amperage service, replacing outdated and hazardous wiring, or adding new circuits. With the right materials, tools, and basic electrical knowledge, a diligent DIYer can rewire their home's electrical system for added safety and functionality.

Assess Your Home's Current Electrical System

Before beginning any rewiring project, it's important to thoroughly assess the current state of your home's electrical system. Here are some key things to evaluate:

Existing Wiring Type

• Identify if you have knob and tube, aluminum, or copper wiring - each has different considerations. Knob and tube wiring found in older homes presents safety issues and should be replaced.

Service Panel Amperage

• Check the main service panel for the amperage rating - 100 amps may be inadequate for modern needs. Upgrading to 200 amps or more may be necessary.

Circuit Breakers vs Fuses

• Circuit breakers are safer and more convenient than old screw-in or plug fuses. Check for availability of spare breaker spaces.

Number of Circuits

• There should be enough circuits to avoid overloading. Count the number of circuits and outlets to determine if more are needed.

Grounding

• Proper grounding is vital for safety. Inspect the ground wires and ground rods. Upgrade if not up to code.

Condition of Wiring

• Look for cracked, fraying, or damaged wiring insulation. This could indicate a dangerous situation where rewiring is needed.

Thoroughly inspecting these components will help determine the scope of work and safety considerations when rewiring your home. Consult an electrician if unsure about assessing your system.

Create a Rewiring Plan

Before starting the rewiring process, it is crucial to map out a detailed plan including:

Goals

• What do you hope to achieve with the rewiring? Update safety? Add circuits? Increase service? This will shape your plan.

Layout

• Draw up a home electrical plan noting circuits, fuse/breaker box location, and wiring routes. This will be your rewiring roadmap.

Process Steps

• Plan the order of your rewiring process. It often works best to tackle one circuit at a time.

Materials Needed

• Compile a list of electrical boxes, wire, outlets, tools, and other supplies required to complete each step.

Building Permits

• Contact your local building department to learn about permit requirements for home electrical work.

Safety Gear

• Assemble proper safety equipment like gloves, glasses, hard hat, and insulation masks. Electrocution is a real risk.

Power Plan

• Determine how you will disconnect power to circuits safely as you work. This often involves turning off main breakers.

Contingencies

• Identify potential roadblocks like access issues and make alternative plans in case difficulties arise during rewiring.

Wire One Circuit at a Time

The most manageable approach for a DIYer when rewiring a house is to focus on one circuit at a time. Follow these steps to systematically rewire each circuit:

Turn Off Power

• Switch off the breaker/fuse disconnecting power to the circuit you are working on. Use a contact voltage tester to confirm it is dead.

Remove Old Wiring

• Take down the old wiring from start to finish point by point. Label wires as you remove them if unsure.

Inspect Boxes

• Closely examine all electrical boxes the circuit runs through to ensure they are suitable and up to code. Replace if necessary.

Run New Wires

• Starting at the panel, run new wires through each electrical box, stapling neatly at regular intervals as you go.

Connect Switches and Outlets

• Refer to labels/diagrams and connect the new circuit wires to outlets, switches, and fixtures.

Confirm Operation

• With the power still off, have a helper toggle switches and test outlets while you verify correct connections.

Power Up and Test

• Turn the breaker back on and thoroughly test the circuit with devices plugged in to confirm it is working properly.

By systematically approaching one circuit at a time, the rewiring process remains manageable and less prone to mistakes. Stay organized and diligent.

Essential Materials and Tools

Completing a full home rewiring project requires having the right materials on hand. Make sure to have these essential supplies before getting started:

Wiring

• Use the correct gauge (12 or 14 AWG) copper wiring for 15 to 20 amp branch circuits. Have plenty extra on hand.

Electrical Boxes

• Purchase new plastic electrical boxes to replace old or damaged metal boxes as needed.

Outlet Receptacles

• Buy new 15 amp or 20 amp receptacles to replace old outlets. GFCI outlets provide added protection.

Breakers

• Get proper amperage breakers for each new circuit. AFCI breakers help prevent arcs/fires.

Wire Nuts & Terminals

• These are needed to securely connect multiple wires together in boxes and at breakers.

Conduit

• Use metal or PVC conduit to protect wire runs through unfinished areas or concrete.

Staples/Fasteners

• Secure wires neatly at regular intervals following electrical code.

Wire Strippers & Cutters

• Quality insulated tools make wiring work much easier and safer.

Voltage Tester

• Essential for safely checking that circuits are truly dead before working.

Lineman's Pliers

• Helpful multi-purpose electrician's pliers useful for pulling, twisting, cutting.

Ladder/Flashlight

• A sturdy ladder and bright flashlight also come in handy for access and visibility.

Investing in professional grade electrical supplies simplifies the rewiring process and improves safety.

Rewiring Precautions

Though a diligent DIYer can certainly rewire a home safely, it's vital to take precautions:

• Turn off power at the main breaker panel before working and double check circuits with a voltage tester. Live wires can kill.
• Wear insulating gloves and eye protection - safety should be priority number one.
• Only work on small sections at a time - rewiring a whole house at once is asking for trouble.
• Keep wires neatly organized and labeled - spaghetti wires invite mistakes.
• Follow codes for wire gauge, box fill, and cable stapling. Improper wiring can cause fires.
• If at any point you feel unsure about how to proceed safely, stop work and call an electrician. Your life is worth far more than any DIY project.

Rewiring a house demands great care. Prevent electrocution and fire hazards by putting safety first.

Call In an Electrician If Necessary

While a diligent DIYer can certainly learn to rewire a home safely, it's important to recognize when to call in a professional electrician. Seek expert help if:

• You discover very old wiring like cloth-wrapped knob and tube wiring. This should be replaced entirely.

• The scope of work exceeds your skill level - for example, a complete rewiring and electrical service upgrade.

• You uncover electrical system issues you don't feel fully confident addressing yourself.

• Local permitting laws require certified electrician installation.

• The wiring project interferes significantly with your home's livability.

• You hope to sell your home soon. Rewiring done by a licensed pro boosts value.

Though hiring an electrician adds cost, in many cases it is wise to pay for the peace of mind that comes with safe, professional rewiring.

Maintain Your Electrical System

Once your home's electrical system is fully updated and rewired, be sure to maintain it properly:

• Examine wiring insulation periodically for cracks or damage. Fix issues immediately before they become serious.

• Check electrical boxes for signs of overheating. Expand boxes if circuits exceed rated capacity.

• Test GFCI outlets monthly by pressing their "test" buttons to confirm proper function.

• Replace old outlets with modern GFCI ones as you renovate or redecorate.

• Have an electrician assess your overall system every 5 years or so to spot needs proactively.

• Consider installing arc fault circuit interrupter breakers to further enhance safety, especially for bedroom circuits.

With diligent maintenance and by addressing problems promptly, your rewired electrical system will provide safe, reliable power for years to come.

Summary

Rewiring a home's electrical system is a project any diligent DIYer can learn to take on safely. By thoroughly assessing your current system, creating a detailed plan, methodically replacing one circuit at a time, investing in proper materials, putting safety first, and calling an electrician when needed, you can upgrade your home's wiring for greater safety. Paying close attention to detail, following codes, and prioritizing safety considerations like power disconnects and PPE can empower you to take control of your home's electrical system and provide your family safe, reliable power. With patience and care, the average homeowner can develop the skills to rewire their house without hiring an electrician.