How to Safely Rewire Your 150 Year Old Home Without Burning it Down

Rewiring an old home can seem like a daunting task, but with proper planning and by following safety precautions, it can be done safely without incident. As the owner of a 150 year old home, I learned first-hand how to tackle this project. Here is my step-by-step guide on how I was able to rewire my antique home without burning it down.

Assess the Existing Electrical System

Before beginning any rewiring project, it's important to understand what you're working with. Here are some steps I took to assess the existing electrical system in my 150 year old home:

• Consult an electrician - I hired a licensed electrician to inspect the current wiring and provide a professional assessment. They were able to test the electrical load capacity and identify potential hazards or outdated wiring that needed replacement.

• Check the electrical panel - I looked at the electrical panel to see the type of system (fuses or circuit breakers), the amperage rating, and if it was up to current code standards. As my home only had a 60 amp fuse box, an upgrade was necessary.

• Look for knob and tube wiring - Older homes often have outdated knob and tube wiring which can be a fire hazard. Checking for this early on helped me identify the scope of the rewire project.

• Test outlets and light fixtures - I tested each outlet and light fixture in my home, making notes on any issues like flickering lights, sparks, or outlets that didn't work. This helped identify problem areas.

Create a Rewiring Plan

Once I understood the scope of the project, I was able to come up with a detailed rewiring plan.

• Map out the necessary circuits - I mapped out each room and determined what specific circuits were needed, like lighting, outlets, appliances, etc. This made it easier to design the new wiring system.

• Decide on materials - Based on my electrician's recommendations, I decided to use copper wiring and upgrade to 200 amp service. Using quality materials ensured safety.

• Hire a licensed electrician - Even though I was capable of doing some of the simpler tasks, I still hired a professional electrician to handle the bulk of the installation for safety reasons.

• Plan around preserving original walls - Part of my rewiring plan involved strategically running new wires to preserve the original plaster walls of my 19th century home, avoiding unnecessary demolition.

• Allow for inspection checkpoints - I scheduled inspection checkpoints with the city electrical inspector at strategic points in the rewire to ensure code compliance. Failing to do this could jeopardize the entire project.

Follow Safety Precautions During the Rewiring Process

During a major rewiring project, safety should always be the top concern. Here are some key precautions I followed:

• Turn off power at the main panel - The power was shut off at the main panel before any work was done. I also used a contact voltage tester to ensure wires were de-energized.

• Work on one circuit at a time - Focusing on de-energizing one circuit at a time reduced the risk of getting wires crossed accidentally. I labeled each wire clearly.

• Use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) - Wearing insulated gloves and eye protection ensured my own safety while handling electrical wires.

• Keep flammable materials away - All flammable liquids and materials were cleared from the work area to prevent accidental ignition.

• Follow local building codes - Adhering strictly to local building codes for electrical work protected my home against fire risks. I did not cut corners.

• Inspect work frequently - My electrician continuously inspected my rewiring work, catching any improper connections before they became dangerous.

Final Safety Checks before Completion

Before considering the rewiring project complete, I conducted some final safety checks:

• Check wires are properly connected - Each wire connection was checked to ensure it was properly joined and secured. Loose connections can spark electrical fires.

• Confirm proper grounding - I verified that all outlets and light fixtures were properly grounded. Proper grounding is essential for safety.

• Test GFCIs and AFCIs - I tested each GFCI and AFCI outlet to ensure they were functioning properly, providing critical protection from electrical shocks and fire.

• Examine for cable damage - All electrical cables were examined for any damage before activating the system, preventing hazards.

• Review panel labeling - The circuit breaker/fuse panel was reviewed to confirm correct labelling of each new circuit. This helps prevent overloads.

• Request final inspection - As a final step, I had the completed electrical system inspected by the city to receive an approval certificate before moving back into my home.

By following this comprehensive process and prioritizing safety, I was able to upgrade the outdated wiring in my historical home without incident. Paying close attention to detail and hiring professional help when needed allows even major rewiring projects to be completed safely.