How to Rewire Your Outlets and Lights for Added Safety Without an Electrician

Introduction

Rewiring electrical outlets and lights in your home can add an extra layer of safety and allow you to upgrade to modern standards. With proper precautions, this project can be successfully completed without hiring an electrician, saving you a considerable amount of money. This guide will take you through the complete process of rewiring outlets and lights on your own from start to finish.

Reasons to Rewire

There are several good reasons to rewire the electrical system in your home:

• Safety - Old wiring can present fire and shock hazards if improperly maintained. Rewiring provides an opportunity to bring everything up to the latest safety codes.

• Expand Capacity - Older homes often have insufficient electrical capacity to handle the proliferation of devices and appliances in modern households. Rewiring allows you to increase capacity.

• Grounding - Proper grounding was not required in very old construction. Rewiring lets you add this important safety feature.

• Aesthetics - Upgrading to modern outlets, switches and lighting can greatly improve the look and feel of your home.

Dangers and Precautions

Rewiring electrical systems is inherently dangerous due to the risk of shock and fire. Here are some key safety precautions:

• Turn off power - Always turn off power at the main breaker before starting any electrical project. Verify it is off with a voltage tester.

• Work carefully - Avoid shortcuts and proceed slowly and methodically. Rushing leads to mistakes.

• Use caution with wires - Treat all wires as if they are live. Damage to wire insulation can cause shock or fire.

• Wear safety gear - Use rubber-soled shoes, gloves, and eye protection when working with electrical wiring.

• Inspect thoroughly - Double check all work to identify any potential mistakes before restoring power.

What You'll Need

Make sure you have all of the following materials on hand before starting an electrical rewiring project:

• Electrical tape - Used to insulate wire connections

• Wire strippers - For removing insulation from wires

• Voltage tester - To verify power is off before working

• Clamp meters - Useful for troubleshooting circuits

• ** Junction boxes and outlet boxes** - For housing wiring connections

• Conduit and fittings - If using conduit rather than cables

• Cables or individual wires - For running new circuits

• Wall plates and connectors - Match the style of your existing switches/outlets

• Wire nuts - For joining wires together

• Conduit bender - If bending conduit

• Safety gear - Protective equipment as described earlier

Rewiring Switches

Let's go through the steps to rewire a light switch:

Turn Off Power

Start by turning off power at the main breaker. Verify it is off by testing outlets with a voltage tester.

Remove Old Switch

Take the cover plate off and unscrew the switch from the electrical box. Carefully pull it out enough to access the wires.

Disconnect Wires

There will likely be 2 cables with hot wires connected to the switch. Disconnect the wires from the switch and remove it.

Prepare New Switch

Take your new switch and use wire strippers to remove about 1/2 inch of insulation from the ends of the new copper wires.

Connect New Wires

Refer to the switch diagram on the packaging. Connect the hot source and destination wires to the proper terminals using wire nuts.

Mount New Switch

Coil the wires neatly in the box, screw the switch in place, put the cover plate on, and you're done!

Rewiring Outlets

The process for replacing an outdated electrical receptacle is very similar:

Turn Off Power

As always, make sure the power is disconnected at the breaker before starting work.

Remove Old Outlet

Unscrew the cover plate and outlet from the electrical box. Carefully pull it out to access wiring.

Disconnect Old Wires

There will likely be 2 sets of wires attached to the side terminals. Take note of these connections before disconnecting.

Prepare New Outlet

Strip 1/2 inch of insulation from the ends of the new outlet's wires. Often they are pre-stripped.

Connect Wires to New Outlet

Refer to diagrams on the outlet. Connect the two sets of electrical cables to the proper hot and neutral terminals.

Mount New Outlet

Coil wires neatly, screw into the electrical box, put on the cover plate and you're done!

Testing Your Work

Once the new wiring is complete, take the following steps before turning power back on:

• Verify no bare wires are exposed
• Check that junction boxes and outlets are properly secured
• Make sure wires are neatly coiled and not overlapping
• Double check all connections are tight
• Inspect that grounding is correct

Finally, restore power and carefully test operation of all lights and outlets. Check them with a voltage tester to confirm proper connection.

When to Call an Electrician

While many basic rewiring projects can be DIY, know your limits. If any of the following apply, it's best to hire a licensed electrician:

• The main electrical service panel needs upgrades
• Adding new circuits from the main panel
• You lack the right tools or safety gear
• The project is too large or complex
• You are uncomfortable working with electricity

Proper planning, safety precautions, and attention to detail will allow you to successfully rewire your outlets and lighting for added safety without an electrician. Just take it slow and be extremely careful when working with electrical systems.