How to Rewire Your Outlets and Lights Without Burning Down Your House

Rewiring outlets and lights in your home can seem daunting, but with proper precautions it can be done safely. Here is a step-by-step guide on how I rewired my outlets and lights without burning down my house.

Safety First!

Before beginning any electrical project, safety should be your top priority. Electricity can be extremely dangerous if not handled properly. Here are some key safety tips to follow:

• Turn off the power at the main circuit breaker panel - This ensures the circuits you'll be working on have no live power flowing through them. Verify power is off by testing outlets with a multimeter or voltage tester.

• Wear rubber-soled shoes - This insulates you from accidental shocks. Avoid damp areas and sweaty hands which conduct electricity.

• Use insulated tools - Make sure your wire strippers, screwdrivers, etc. have insulated rubber handles. Never use metallic tools which can short connections.

• Work one circuit at a time - Rewire only the specific circuit you've turned off at the breaker panel. This prevents working on live wires accidentally.

• Be prepared for surprises - Assume wires in walls may be live until tested. Wear gloves and eye protection in case you encounter a live wire accidentally.

• Have an exit plan - Know exactly how to get out of the workspace quickly. Working with electricity poses electrocution risks.

Following basic electrical safety measures will help ensure you don't get hurt. Now let's get to the project!

Gather the Right Rewiring Supplies

To rewire outlets and lights, you'll need the following supplies:

• Electrical tape - For insulating wire connections
• Wire strippers - For stripping wire insulation
• Voltage tester - For verifying power is off
• Outlet and switch boxes - For housing wires behind outlets/switches
• Cable clamps - For securing cables entering boxes
• Screwdrivers - For opening boxes and tightening connections
• Wire nuts - For joining copper wires together
• NM (Romex) cable 12/2 gauge - For running new circuits
• GFCI outlets - For replacing ordinary outlets

I recommend 14/2 gauge NM cable and 20A GFCI outlets for most 15/20 amp home circuits. Ensure all supplies are UL certified and rated for the appropriate voltage in your home.

Turn Off Power and Remove Old Outlets/Switches

After gathering supplies, it's time to turn off power and remove existing wiring.

• Locate the main circuit breaker panel and turn off the individual circuit breakers powering the outlets/lights you'll be rewiring.

• With power off, remove cover plates and the old outlets/light switches from their boxes using a screwdriver. Detach all wires connected to them.

• Carefully pull the unhooked wires out of the boxes so they're completely disconnected. Verify power is off using a voltage tester before touching any wires.

The boxes are now ready to have new wiring and outlets installed.

Run New Wiring and Install New Outlets and Switches

Here are the steps to run new cables, outlets, and switches:

• Drill holes to route the new NM cables between outlet and switch boxes. Use cable clamps to secure cables entering boxes.

• Use wire strippers to strip about 1/2" of insulation from the ends of the NM cables so the inner copper wires are exposed.

• Inside boxes, join the bare ground wires together using wire nuts. Join the white neutral wires together.

• Connect the black hot wires to the brass screws on outlets and switches using screwdrivers. The green ground screws get connected to the ground wires.

• Place the wired up outlets and switches back into the boxes and secure them with mounting screws. Attach cover plates.

• Neatly fold and push excess wiring back into the boxes before closing them up. This prevents wires getting pinched or damaged.

• Label circuits clearly on the breaker panel. Turn power back on and test outlets/lights with a voltage tester.

Following basic wiring steps makes rewiring outlets and switches straightforward. Just take it slow and exercise caution.

Helpful Rewiring Tips

Here are some helpful tips to make your rewiring project go smoothly:

• Take photos before dismantling existing wiring to help recreate original layouts.

• Plan wiring runs beforehand so cables reach between boxes efficiently.

• Mount new boxes if existing ones don't align with new outlet/switch locations.

• Pigtail hot and neutral wires if connecting multiple wires to one outlet. This keeps connections neat.

• For 3-way switch circuits, identify the common wire for correct wiring. Reference online guides.

• When in doubt, consult an electrician to avoid costly mistakes. DIY electrical work has risks.

Rewiring Dos and Don'ts

• DO turn off power at the breaker before starting work.
• DO test wires with a voltage tester to confirm power is off.
• DO connect ground wires to ensure outlets are properly grounded.
• DO keep wire connections neatly folded into boxes.
• DON'T work on live wires. Assume wires are live until tested.
• DON'T leave exposed copper conductors uninsulated.
• DON'T overload circuits by connecting multiple high-wattage appliances.

In Closing

Rewiring your electrical system correctly is very satisfying. By following proper safety procedures, using the right materials, and adhering to code, you can upgrade your lighting and outlets without burning anything down! Just take it slow and get help if unsure. Let me know if you have any other home wiring questions.