How to Rewire Your Home’s Electrical System Without an Electrician

Introduction

Rewiring your home's electrical system can seem like a daunting task, but with proper planning and precautions, it can be done safely without hiring an electrician. There are several reasons why you may want to rewire your home, such as upgrading to a higher amperage, replacing old and outdated wiring, or adding new circuits and outlets.

I will walk through the complete process step-by-step, from planning and preparation to wiring and testing the new system. Proper safety precautions will be emphasized throughout to ensure you avoid electrical hazards. By the end, you will have the confidence to rewire your home’s electrical system to modern standards and add capabilities without paying electrician fees.

Safety Precautions

Before beginning any electrical project, safety should be your top priority. Electricity can cause severe burns and injury if mishandled. Here are some key safety tips:

• Turn off power at the main breaker panel - This cuts electricity to the whole house so you can work safely.

• Test wires before touching - Use a non-contact voltage tester to confirm wires are dead. Test every wire before handling.

• Wear insulating gloves - Make sure gloves are rated for the voltage you are working with. They protect against accidental contact with live wires.

• Use a plastic mat - Lay down a mat over floors and countertops to prevent electrocution if you accidentally energize a wire.

• Have an AFCI breaker - This advanced circuit breaker shuts off power automatically if it detects an arc fault, helping prevent electrical fires.

• Never work alone - Have someone present in case an emergency arises. They can quickly cut power or get help.

• Isolate wires - Use wire nuts or electrical tape to isolate unused wires individually so they do not accidentally make contact.

Following these precautions reduces your risk of electrical hazards like shocks, burns, and electrocution. Safety first!

Planning the Rewiring

Careful planning is crucial before you start any rewiring project. Rushing in without planning often leads to mistakes and rework. Follow these planning steps:

Evaluate Your Current Electrical System

• Examine the current condition of your home’s wiring to identify any problems that need addressing:

• Outdated wiring - Older wiring is prone to insulation breakdown and may not support modern power demands. Upgrading to modern wiring should be considered.

• Small wire gauge - Lighter gauge wire can overheat from too much current. Heavier 12 or 10 AWG wire may be required.

• Not enough circuits or outlets - If your home lacks enough power outlets for modern needs, new 20A small appliance circuits can be added.

• Single pole switches - Switching to grounded 3-way switches provides safer and more convenient control of lights.

• Insufficient amperage - Homes may need to be rewired to support 200 amp service to handle new high power appliances and electronics.

Create a Wiring Diagram

Draw up a wiring diagram detailing all the new circuits you plan to install. This should illustrate:

• Locations of the main service panel and all new circuit breaker panels

• Exact routing of wire runs from panels to outlets and switches

• Number and types of circuits to be installed

• Any special circuits like those for heavy appliances

Having this detailed map makes installation much easier. You can purchase wiring diagram software or find free templates online to use.

Purchase All Necessary Electrical Supplies

Make a list of everything you will need for the rewiring based on your wiring plan. Some essential supplies include:

• Romex or THHN wires in appropriate gauge (12 or 14 AWG for 15/20A circuits)

• Single pole and 3-way switches

• GFCI and AFCI breakers

• Matching PVC electrical boxes, conduit, and fittings

• Wire strippers, connectors, staples, electrical tape, etc.

Getting all materials beforehand avoids wasting time with multiple trips to the hardware store during the rewire.

Wiring the New Circuits

With your project fully planned out, it’s time to get to the actual rewiring. Follow these steps:

Mount the New Breaker Panel

Install your main circuit breaker panel and any new subpanels according to manufacturer instructions and electrical code. Position them in accessible locations since you will need to access them for the full wiring.

Run New Circuit Wiring

Run the different home run wires from the breaker panels to their destination outlets and switches:

• Use the correct wire gauge for each circuit’s current - for 15A/20A circuits use 12 AWG or 14 AWG wire.

• Feed wires into new electrical boxes using cable clamps. Leave 6-8 extra inches of wire at boxes.

• Staple wires every 4-6 feet and within 1 foot of boxes. Follow bending radius limits when running wires.

• Use metal conduit where required by code, like for outdoor runs.

Connect Switches and Outlets

Connect the circuit wires to the correct terminals on each receptacle and switch:

• Attach hot/live wires to the brass screws, neutral to silver screws, ground to green screws or clips.

• Use pigtails to connect multiple wires to a single terminal.

• Use twist-on wire connectors for additional fixture wiring.

• Wrap connections with electrical tape for protection.

Follow the wiring diagram to ensure every connection goes to the intended location.

Label All Circuits

Clearly label the breakers for each circuit in the panel so they can easily identified. Also label receptacles to show which circuits they are on. This avoids confusion later when circuits need to be shut off during repairs or additions.

Testing and Turn On

With all the new wiring complete, it’s time to test and energize the system:

Check All Connections

Visually inspect every wire termination and connection:

• Confirm wires are securely attached to the correct screws or terminals.

• Make sure there are no loose wire strands or exposed copper.

• Verify electrical tape is wrapped neatly with no gaps.

Fix any issues to ensure safe and reliable performance.

Power Up and Test Each Circuit

Turn on the main breaker then switch on and test each individual circuit:

• Check that the correct outlets and lights are powered from each breaker as intended.

• Plug in devices and turn on appliances to verify proper operation.

• Use a multimeter or receptacle tester to check wiring continuity and grounding.

This validates that your complete rewiring was successful before the walls get closed up!

Conclusion

While rewiring your home is a major project, it can be successfully accomplished without an electrician if done safely and methodically. The key steps are proper planning, running new wiring, making reliable connections, and thorough testing.

Pay strict attention to safety precautions when working with electricity and shut off power at the breaker before starting. Rewiring your home’s electrical system takes time and diligence, but gives you modern wiring capabilities that make additions and upgrades much easier in the future. You will gain the satisfaction of saving on electrician labor fees and adding value to your home when you complete this DIY electrical project.