How To Rewire Your Outlets For Added Safety Without An Electrician

Introduction

Rewiring electrical outlets in your home can significantly improve safety and prevent fires or electrocution. With some basic knowledge, the right tools, and caution, you can rewire outlets without hiring an electrician. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the entire process safely and effectively.

Reasons To Rewire Outlets

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

Prevent Fires

Old, worn wiring is a major fire hazard. Rewiring with modern, up-to-code wires and outlets prevents electrical fires.

Stop Faulty Wiring Issues

Outlets with loose, damaged, or incorrect wiring can cause appliances to malfunction, circuits to overload, and lights to flicker. Properly rewired outlets solve these issues.

Improve Safety

Upgrading to GFCI outlets and AFCI breakers protects against electrocution and arc faults. Three-prong grounded outlets also improve safety.

Increase Capacity

Modern wiring supports more electricity for today's power-hungry devices. Rewiring prevents tripped breakers and overloaded outlets.

Prepare for Smart Home Devices

Many smart switches, thermostats, speakers and more require neutral wires that old outlets lack. Rewiring enables smart home expansion.

How To Rewire An Outlet

Follow these steps to safely rewire an outlet:

Turn Off Power

Turn off the circuit breaker for the outlet at the main electrical panel. Verify power is off by plugging in a tester or lamp.

Remove Old Outlet

Unscrew the outlet from the electrical box and disconnect the wires. Carefully remove any mounting screws or clamps.

**Safety Tip:** Do not work on live wiring with the power on! Always turn off the breaker first.

Examine Wiring

Inspect the existing wires for damage like cracked insulation or loose connections. Replace any damaged cables.

Install New Outlet

Attach the new outlet's wires to the bare ground, neutral, and hot wires using screw clamps or push-in connectors. Follow outlet diagrams.

Mount Outlet

Place the outlet correctly oriented inside the box, and screw it into place through the mounting holes. Do not pinch or crush wires.

Secure Wires

Neatly tuck wires inside the box, add a clamp if needed, and reattach the cover plate securely. No wires should be loose or sticking out.

Turn Power Back On

Turn the circuit breaker back on at the panel. Use a voltage tester to verify power to the outlet. Test for proper operation.

Add Safety Labels

Affix "GFCI Protected" or "No Equipment Ground" warning stickers as needed to alert users to potential risks.

Choosing New Outlets And Wiring

Select the right outlet type and wiring gauge for optimal safety and performance:

GFCI outlets - For bathrooms, kitchens, laundry, and outdoor areas prone to moisture. Protects against electrocution.
AFCI outlets - For bedrooms, dens, and living areas. Prevents arc faults that lead to fires.
Tamper-resistant outlets - For homes with small children. Shutters prevent poked objects.
Grounded outlets - Must have a ground wire. Critical for appliance safety.
12 AWG copper wiring - Safely supports 20A circuits. 14 AWG can also work for 15A circuits.
Matching cable colors - Helps identify hot (black), neutral (white), and ground (green) wires.

Helpful Tools And Materials

Gather these supplies before beginning an outlet rewiring project:

Voltage tester - To safely check for live power.
Screwdrivers - Flat head for outlet screws, Phillips for covers.
Wire strippers - For stripping wire insulation.
Cable ripper - Helps tear out old wires when removing outlets.
Wire nuts - Twists wires together for secure connections.
Electrical tape - Covers stripped wire.
Clamps - Keeps wires neatly bundled inside box.
Circuit tracer - Identifies breaker controlling each outlet.
Warning stickers - Indicates GFCI or no ground.
Side wire cutters - Snips wires to proper length.
Socket tester - Checks outlet wiring after completion.

Rewiring Special Outlet Types

Specific techniques apply when rewiring these special outlet types:

GFCI Outlets

Connect line wire to line terminals, and load wires to load terminals, per manufacturer diagrams.
Must be used for outlets near water sources like kitchens and bathrooms.
Press test and reset buttons after installing to confirm proper operation.

Switched Outlets

Run a 14/3 cable with red, black, white and ground wires.
Hot source attaches to common terminal. Switched hot connects to brass.
Affix warning label advising outlet is switch-controlled.

240 Volt Appliance Outlets

Use 10/3 cable with 2 hot, 1 neutral and 1 ground wire.
Land both hot wires on the outlet's double terminals.
Confirm matching voltage and amperage rating for outlet and appliance.

Smart Outlets

Requires neutral wire connection to function. Rewire with 14/3 cable if needed.
Follow manufacturer's wiring guide for line, load, neutral, and ground.
May need reconfigured breaker for split control of top and bottom outlet.

Safely Handling Electrical Hazards

Exercise extreme caution when dealing with these hazards during outlet rewiring:

Live Wires

If power is still live, stop work immediately. Turn off breaker, retest wires before continuing. Never handle energized wires.

Faulty Wiring

If existing wires are damaged or improperly terminated, replace the entire cable before rewiring.

Overloaded Circuits

If circuit trips repeatedly, distribute load by relocating devices to another circuit.

No Grounding

Ungrounded outlets are unsafe. Run new 14/3 cable, pigtail to box for ground.

Double-Tapped Wires

Two wires under one screw terminal can loosen and arc. Add pigtails to separate.

aluminium Wiring

Can cause dangerous heat buildup. Replace old aluminium wiring with new copper.

Rewiring Existing Outlets - Step-By-Step

Follow this sequence to properly rewire an existing outlet:

Turn off the power at the circuit breaker. Verify it is off.
Remove cover plate screws and outlet from electrical box.
Disconnect and label existing outlet wires.
Inspect wires for damage. Replace if needed.
Clean box of dust and debris.
Thread new cable through if replacing wiring.
Connect new outlet's hot wire to circuit's black hot wire with a pigtail.
Connect neutral wire to circuit neutral with pigtail.
Connect ground to box ground screw or ground wires.
Mount outlet securely in box.
Neatly fold wires and install clamp if needed.
Reinstall cover plate and screws.
Turn circuit breaker back on and test outlet.
Add GFCI and ground/GFCI labels as needed.

Common Outlet Wiring Mistakes

Avoid these wiring errors that can cause malfunctions or fire hazards:

Connecting hot and neutral wires backwards.
Forgetting to attach the ground wire.
Loose wire connections or stripped insulation.
Overstuffing wires without electrical box extension.
Pinching or crushing wires under outlet.
Using unmatched wire gauges on shared circuits.
Overloading outlet with multiple large appliances.
Tapping new outlets from existing GFCI protected circuit.
Connecting copper and aluminium wires directly.

Conclusion

Rewiring outlets is a worthwhile project that improves safety, prevents fires, and upgrades electrical capacity in your home. Carefully turning off power, using caution around live wires, selecting suitable replacement outlets and cables, properly connecting wires, neatly installing into boxes, and testing outlets will allow you to tackle rewiring successfully without an electrician. Paying close attention to details and following codes will result in professional, compliant outlet rewiring that keeps your home and family protected.