How To Safely Rewire Your 100 Year Old Home Without Burning It Down

Assess the Existing Electrical System

Before deciding to rewire my 100 year old home, I first wanted to thoroughly assess the existing electrical system to determine what needed upgrading. Here are the key things I looked at:

• Circuit breaker panel - I checked the fuse box or breaker panel to see if it was still using outdated fuses or if it had been upgraded to circuit breakers. Outdated fuse panels need to be replaced.

• Knob and tube wiring - Older homes often have knob and tube wiring which is outdated and a fire hazard. I checked the attic, basement, and walls for signs of this old wiring.

• Insufficient circuits - Many old homes have too few circuits resulting in overloading. I evaluated if there were enough circuits for all our modern appliances and electronics.

• Two-prong outlets - Outlets should have three-prongs for proper grounding. I took note of where two-prong outlets still existed.

• Light fixtures - Old wiring to light fixtures should be checked for insulation cracking or fraying which creates a fire risk.

• Extension cords - I looked for extension cords that had been put into permanent use which strains the cords.

After thoroughly assessing the electrical system, I determined that a full rewire was needed due to knob and tube wiring, lack of grounding, and overloaded circuits.

Create a Rewiring Plan

Before starting the rewiring process, I created a detailed plan which included:

• Drawing up plans showing all final outlet, switch, and lighting locations

• Evaluating if I needed to run wiring for air conditioning units, hot tubs, or other major appliances

• Determining if I wanted to add home automation systems, surround sound, or other features that require pre-wiring

• Choosing whether to do the work myself or hire a licensed electrician

• Getting all required permits from the city inspector

• Purchasing all necessary electrical supplies and materials ahead of time

Having a well thought out rewiring plan was crucial to ensuring the project went smoothly and all safety issues were addressed.

Install New Breaker Panel

One of the first steps in rewiring was to install a new breaker panel to replace the old fuse box. Here are some key steps I followed:

• I shut off power at the main breaker before starting any work

• I selected a breaker panel appropriate for my home's size and electricity needs

• I hired a licensed electrician to do the actual installation

• The new breaker panel was mounted on the exterior of the home or in the garage rather than inside

• Breakers were clearly labelled for each circuit

• Proper grounding was established

Installing that new breaker panel established the foundation for a modern, grounded electrical system.

Replace Knob and Tube Wiring

My old home still had original knob and tube wiring which is a serious fire hazard. Here is how I safely removed it:

• I turned off power and disconnected the old wiring from the breaker panel

• I pulled out the knob and tube wiring from the basement, attic, and walls

• I ensured insulation in the walls did not have contact with any live wiring

• I sealed up any holes made in walls for wire removal

• I disposed of the old wiring properly

Completely removing all knob and tube wiring eliminated the risk of shorts or overloaded wiring.

Run New Grounded Wiring

Running all new wiring was the most time consuming part of the rewire project. My process was:

• I pulled permits and had the city inspector review my plans

• I shut off power at the main panel before working

• I fed new wires from the panel through walls and ceilings to each outlet and switch

• I stapled the wiring every few feet for support and to avoid sagging

• I properly grounded each wire run

• I connected the wiring to new outlets, switches and light fixtures

• I labeled wires clearly at termination points

Taking it slowly and methodically ensured all new wiring was run properly and safely.

Add Modern Safety Features

In addition to just rewiring, I took the opportunity to add some modern safety features:

• GFCI outlets - Kitchen, bathroom and any outdoor outlets were replaced with GFCI outlets to prevent shocks.

• AFCI breakers - These special breakers detect dangerous arcs and shut off power to prevent electrical fires.

• Whole home surge protector - This protects equipment from power surges coming in from the utility lines.

• Smoke detectors - I added new hardwired smoke detectors interconnected for whole home coverage.

These upgrades brought the safety of my home's electrical system up to the latest codes and standards.

Create an Electrical Plan

Throughout the project I kept a detailed plan showing all circuits, wire runs, and outlets. This is invaluable for reference during maintenance and any future electrical work.

Rewiring a 100 year old home was a major undertaking but I took it slowly and safely. The result is a modern electrical system that will function safely for decades to come. Let me know if you need any advice when taking on your own rewiring project!