Upgrading the electrical system in your home can provide more power to run appliances and electronics. Rewiring outlets and circuits yourself without hiring an electrician can save money if done safely and correctly. Here is a comprehensive guide on how I rewired the outlets in my home for more power on my own.
Determine Electrical Load Needs
The first step is identifying which rooms and outlets need more power. Take an inventory of all appliances, electronics, and devices typically plugged into each outlet.
- Kitchen: Refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker, blender, toaster oven. These pull a lot of wattage.
- Living room: TV, cable box, game consoles, lamps. Entertainment systems need ample power.
- Office: Computer, monitor, printer, desk lamp. Home office spaces require steady power delivery.
- Garage/workshop: Power tools, battery chargers, shop vacuums. Power hungry workshop tools need high wattage outlets.
Calculate the total wattage demand for each room based on your devices. This will help determine the necessary circuit load capacities.
Inspect Electrical Panel and Existing Wiring
The current condition of your home's electrical panel and wires leading to outlets should be examined. This will reveal if upgrades are needed:
- Electrical panel: Check the main breaker amperage rating. 100 amps may be insufficient for additional outlet circuits. Upgrading to 150 amp or 200 amp service might be required.
- Wiring gauge: Outlets fed by #14 gauge wire will need to be upgraded to #12 gauge for 20 amp circuits.
- GFCI outlets: Bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms and outdoor outlets must be wired to GFCI outlets for safety.
- Exposed wiring: Any worn or damaged wire insulation can indicate locations needing replacement wiring.
document any wiring deficiencies, lack of grounding, or service capacity issues. These will need addressing.
Install New Circuits and Wiring
Once electrical needs are determined and existing system inspected, installing new circuits with proper gauge wiring to additional outlets can be performed:
- Run dedicated 20 amp circuits with #12 AWG wire for each major appliance instead of 15 amp with #14 AWG for more power.
- Use 3-wire cable for all new outlet runs to provide separate neutral and ground.
- Mount new breaker box circuits appropriately sized for the wire gauge and intended load.
- Pull new wire cable through walls and attic spaces to new outlet locations. Use staple gun to securely fasten along framing.
- Extend existing outlets by pigtailing new wire to the source.
- Replace existing outlets with grounded receptacles and feed GFCI outlets from the load terminals to protect additional plugs in chain.
- Attach wires securely with wire nuts and terminal screws. Double check connections are tight.
- Affix warning labels on all new circuits at the breaker box identifying the rooms served.
Follow all electrical code requirements for cable types, wire gauging, overcurrent protection, and safety.
Helpful Tools and Materials
Completing new outlet wiring without an electrician requires gathering key tools and supplies:
- Voltage tester - To safely check live wires and power off circuits at main panel.
- Cable ripper - For pulling existing wires through walls as a pull string.
- Fish tape - Flexible steel coil for pulling new wire through cavities.
- Cable stapler - Secures new wiring neatly along framing studs.
- Wire stripper - Removing sheathing and stripping wire ends.
- Terminal screwdrivers - Tightening terminal block and outlet screws securely.
- Wire nuts - Twisting wire ends together for pigtailing and splicing.
- Electrical tape - Wrapping connections to prevent shorts and shocks.
- Warning labels - Identifying new circuits at the breaker box.
Purchasing the necessary wiring, boxes, GFCI outlets, breakers, and other parts will also be required before starting.
Safety Precautions
When doing any electrical work, critical safety steps must be taken:
- Purchase non-contact voltage tester to safely check for live wires. Test wires before touching.
- Turn off power at the main breaker panel and verify it's deactivated with a voltmeter before working.
- Only work on one circuit at a time with the breaker for that circuit switched off.
- Never assume wires are safe, always triple check with voltmeter first before touching.
- Wear electrical rated gloves when handling wires.
- Never leave wires exposed or unsecured outside boxes when unattended.
- Take care not to overfill electrical boxes above recommended fill capacity.
- Use caution when using any electrical tools, drills or saws.
- Never attempt any electrical work alone. Have someone present in case of emergency.
Following safety protocols thoroughly prevents electrocution hazards.
Final Steps Before Turning Power Back On
Prior to restoring electricity after new circuits are wired, a few final checks should be made:
- Verify all connections are tight with no exposed wire.
- Confirm proper wire gauges were used for each breaker size.
- Ensure only spec rated breakers were installed.
- All junction boxes and knockouts are fully secured.
- GFCI outlets function properly when tested.
- New circuits are labeled correctly at the breaker panel.
- Wires have staples attaching them neatly along framing.
With new outlets and wiring fully installed and inspected, electricity can be turned back on cautiously while monitoring performance. Start devices and appliances to confirm proper power delivery.
Rewiring home outlets yourself takes planning and care but saves on electrician costs. Following safety steps and codes helps ensure it's done right the first time. Paying attention to details such as proper grounding, wire gauge ratings, overcurrent protection, and covering all junctions allows your upgraded electrical system to provide ample power safely.