How to Rewire Your Home’s Outlets for Greater Safety and Convenience

Why Rewiring Outlets is Important

Rewiring the outlets in your home can greatly improve electrical safety and convenience. As homes age, outlet wiring can become outdated, hazardous, and inadequate for modern needs. Rewiring provides an opportunity to upgrade to safer and more versatile outlets. There are several key reasons to consider rewiring your outlets:

• Improve safety - Old wiring is more prone to dangerous issues like short circuits, sparks, fires, and electrocution. Replacing old outlets and wiring reduces these risks.

• Increase capacity - Modern homes require more electricity. Rewiring allows you to upgrade from outdated 15 amp circuits to 20 amp or greater to meet increased electrical demand.

• Add more outlets - Additional outlets can be added to rooms and spaces that need more access to power. Rewiring allows outlets to be strategically placed where they are most useful.

• Accommodate electronics - Older outlets may not be compatible with the grounding needs of computers, TVs, and other electronics. Rewiring provides proper grounding and surge protection.

• Improve aesthetics - Upgrading wiring means outdated, odd-looking outlets can be replaced with new, uniform, decorator-style outlets that match your home's décor.

Dangers of Outdated Electrical Systems

It's important to understand the risks posed by outdated electrical wiring and outlets in order to appreciate the safety benefits of rewiring your home. Some potential dangers include:

• Electrocution - Faulty wiring raises the risks of being shocked or electrocuted, especially when outlets are located near water sources.

• Fire - Overloaded, damaged, or improperly wired connections can overheat, ignite nearby materials, and cause electrical fires.

• Power surges - Older wiring lacks proper grounding and surge protection. Power spikes can damage appliances, electronics, and devices plugged into outlets.

• Weak connections - Outlets that are loose, corroded, or damaged cause heat buildup and arc flashes at connection points.

• Circuit overload - Outdated wiring often lacks the capacity to safely run modern appliances and devices. Overload can cause meltdowns and fires.

Replacing the outlets and wiring eliminates these serious hazards.

Electrical Codes

Before rewiring any part of your home's electrical system, it's essential to understand the relevant building codes and regulations in your local area. The National Electrical Code (NEC) forms the basis of most local codes. Key codes include:

• Amperage - Standard modern wiring uses 20 amp circuits. Some large appliances may require 30, 40 or 50 amp circuits.

• Voltage - Most residential wiring supplies 120V power. Large appliances often require 240V.

• GFCI protection - Ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) are required in areas with water sources like kitchens, bathrooms and outdoors.

• AFCI protection - Arc fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs) prevent dangerous electrical arcs and are often required for bedroom circuits.

• Receptacle spacing - Spacing between electrical outlets on a wall is regulated, usually every 12 feet (3.7m) or less.

Consult your local building codes before buying materials or starting electrical work.

Needed Materials

Rewiring outlets is a major project that requires an array of materials. Some essential items include:

• Electrical boxes - Plastic or metal boxes house the receptacles and wiring connections. Their size depends on number of wires.

• Wire connectors - Used to join wires together. Twist-on wire nuts are common. Push-in connectors are also available.

• NM (nonmetallic) cable - This plastic-sheathed cable contains insulated wires and ground wire. 14/2 cable has 2 conductors and a ground. 12/2 cable has thicker 12 gauge wire.

• Cable clamps - Metal clamps secure and protect cables where they enter electrical boxes.

• Receptacles - Choose 15 or 20 amp duplex outlet receptacles in the style you want. GFCI and AFCI outlets provide protection.

• Breakers - New circuit breakers may be needed in the main service panel to protect new outlet circuits.

• Electrical tape - Used to insulate wire connections. Self-fusing silicone tape works well.

• Voltage tester - Essential safety tool to detect live wires. Both non-contact and contact testers are useful.

• Wire stripper - Removes plastic insulation from wiring when making connections.

Outlet Wiring Instructions

Follow these step-by-step instructions to safely rewire outlets in your home:

Turn Off Power

Turn off the circuit breaker for the outlet you'll be working on. Verify power is off by testing with a contact voltage tester. Failure to shut off power can result in severe shock or electrocution.

Remove Old Outlet

Unscrew the outlet from the electrical box and carefully pull it out. Inspect the existing wires and electrical box. Check for signs of dangerous wear like heat damage, corroded wires or cracked insulation.

Prepare Wires

If existing wiring is old or damaged, replace it with new NM cable. Use 14 gauge for 15 amp circuits and 12 gauge for 20 amps. Strip away 1/2" of insulation from each wire end using a wire stripper.

Connect Wires

Refer to outlet wiring diagrams to connect wires correctly. Match wire colors using twist-on wire connectors. Ground wires connect to the green grounding screw or clip. Insert wires fully and tighten connections securely.

Install New Outlet

Place wires fully into the electrical box. Attach the outlet firmly with mounting screws. Make sure no bare wire is exposed. Attach cable clamps and install a compatible wallplate cover.

Test and Use

With the power back on, plug in a lamp and test the outlets. Confirm proper wiring by checking that the outlet is grounded using a tester. Install AFCI or GFCI protection if needed.

Special Considerations

Specific factors should be kept in mind when rewiring certain areas:

• Kitchens/bathrooms - Require GFCI outlets to prevent shocks near water sources.

• Outdoors - Use weatherproof boxes and GFCI outlets. Bury wiring at proper underground depth.

• Bedrooms - Should have AFCI outlets to prevent dangerous arcs.

• Entertainment centers - Have enough properly grounded outlets to accommodate home electronics.

• Laundry room - Provide dedicated 240V circuit for large appliances like dryer.

• Kitchen islands - Outlets are required if island is permanently installed.

When to Call an Electrician

While many homeowners can handle basic outlet upgrades, some circumstances require professional help:

• Rewiring the main electrical service panel

• Adding new circuits and breakers

• Running 240V lines for large appliances

• Installing wiring inside finished walls

• Laying underground exterior wiring

• Any work requiring altering existing structural wiring

• If local codes require permitted electrical upgrades

• If the project is beyond your skill level and comfort with electrical work

Hiring a qualified electrician ensures full code compliance and safety when rewiring.

Conclusion

Rewiring the electrical outlets in your home is a worthwhile project that boosts safety, convenience and functionality. By understanding important electrical codes, having the right materials, and following safe wiring techniques, you can upgrade your home's wiring yourself. However major electrical service upgrades are best left to professional electricians. With improved electrical capacity and protection, rewired outlets provide peace of mind and better accommodation of modern electrical needs and electronics.