Doing your own home wiring can be rewarding, but also dangerous if not done properly. As a homeowner, you want to avoid electrical fires, shocks, and other hazards that can come from faulty wiring. By educating yourself, taking safety precautions, and following electrical codes, you can safely wire your home's electrical system.

Research Local Building Codes and Permits

The first step is understanding your local jurisdiction's building codes and permit requirements. Electrical work often requires permits, and codes exist to keep you and your home safe.

Do research ahead of time to find:

• Your city or county's building department website and contact information
• The local electrical code your jurisdiction follows (usually the National Electrical Code)
• Permit requirements for home electrical work
• Inspection requirements after work is complete

Being informed on codes and permits prevents rework and citations down the line. Get all required permits before starting, and schedule inspections when finished. Permits and inspections ensure your wiring adheres to local safety standards.

Use Proper Materials and Tools

Electrical work requires the right materials and tools. Using substandard or inappropriate supplies can create fire and shock hazards.

Wiring

• Use wiring rated for the amperage demands. Overloaded wires overheat.
• Only use copper wiring. Aluminum wiring requires special treatment to be safe.
• Use the correct wire gauge specified by codes. Too small of wire can overheat.
• Use only UL-rated wire with the UL mark on the insulation's printing.

Conduit and Boxes

• Conduit protects and organizes wiring. Use the minimum conduit size specified by code.
• Metal boxes properly enclose connections. Use approved one-gang, two-gang, etc. electrical boxes.
• Only use boxes and conduit rated for the environment. Outdoor and wet areas need special equipment.

Outlets and Switches

• Buy commercial grade outlets and switches, not the cheap versions.
• Ensure devices are rated for their purpose, like 20 amp outlets vs 15 amp outlets.
• Use GFCI outlets within 6 feet of sinks and outdoor outlets. They prevent shocks.

Tools

• A good multimeter is essential for testing wires.
• Have long nose pliers, wire strippers, conduit benders, and other basic tools.
• Invest in quality tools. Do not try to wire a house with cheap or faulty equipment.

Shut Off Power and Work Safely

Safety should be your top priority when working on home wiring:

• Turn off power at the main breaker panel before doing any work. Verify it is off with a multimeter or test light.
• Follow lock out/tag out procedures to prevent accidental re-energizing.
• Wear insulated gloves and other safety gear like eye protection. Assume wires are live until tested.
• Never work on live wires. De-energize first. Stand on rubber mats if necessary.
• Keep the work area clear and dry. Do not let tools or wires lay in water.
• Check that wires are de-energized before touching them. Test wires with a multimeter or tester.
• Only alter existing circuits with the main power off. Running new wires with the power on risks shocks.

Working on live electrical wiring can maim or kill through electrocution or arc flashes. Shutting off power and verifying wires are de-energized prevents these hazards.

Install New Wiring Properly

Follow best practices when running new copper wiring in your home:

• Pull only as much wire as necessary through conduit and boxes. Excess wire is dangerous.
• Leave 8 to 10 inches of extra wire at outlets and switches to make connections.
• Strip insulation properly, approximately 1/2 inch of bare wire. Nicked wire can short.
• Make tight, secure electrical connections with approved connectors like wire nuts.
• Wire nut connections should be twisted clockwise to tighten. Anti-clockwise loosening can cause arcing.
• Tug test each connection to ensure it is snug. Loose connections heat up and can arc.
• Neatly fold and attach wires within electrical boxes using staples. Messy boxes risk shorts.
• Use cable clamps and connectors to secure wires entering boxes and conduit ends.
• Follow specified bending radius rules when running wire through conduit to avoid damage.

Well-executed electrical connections will be reliable for decades. Sloppy work risks loose wires, shorts, and fire.

Use Proper Grounding and Bonding

Grounding and bonding protects against electric shocks by providing a safe path for electricity to flow to ground:

• The ground wire connects boxes, devices, and panels to grounding electrodes in the earth.
• Bonding connects all grounded metal parts together like boxes, conduit, and ground rods.
• Main bonding jumpers bond the ground and neutral wires at the main panel.
• Always connect ground wires and grounded components properly. Improper grounding defeats shock protection.
• Test grounding and bonding with a multimeter for continuity. There should be minimal resistance.
• Ground rod connections must be tight, clean, and corrosion treated for optimal conductivity into the earth.

Proper system grounding, along with GFCI devices, prevents lethal electric shocks by controlling where stray energy flows during a fault.

Have Your Work Inspected

Once wiring is complete, your work must be inspected by the local building department:

• Call for an inspection after finishing work covered by the permit.
• The inspector will check for code compliance and safety issues.
• Be prepared to undo and correct any work that fails inspection.
• Have all relevant permits, plans, and documentation ready for the inspector.
• Walk through the job site with the inspector if possible to discuss your work.
• Ask questions and learn from any issues discovered during the inspection.
• Make all corrections noted before concealing any wiring. Call for another inspection when ready.

Passing inspection indicates your work meets safety codes. If an inspection finds issues, make corrections before final approval.

Conclusion

With proper materials, safety procedures, and skill, you can tackle basic home wiring jobs as a DIYer. Always get permits, have your work inspected, and fix any issues discovered. Although wiring carries risks, the right knowledge and vigilance will allow you to reap the rewards of doing your own electrical upgrades safely.