Rewiring your home can seem like a daunting task, but with proper planning and precautions, it is possible for a homeowner to successfully rewire their house without hiring a professional electrician. As with any major electrical project, safety should always be the top priority. Performing your own electrical work does come with risks if not done correctly. However, with adequate research, preparation, and attention to safety, rewiring a home without professional help can be accomplished.
Why Rewire a Home?
There are several reasons you may need or want to rewire your house:
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Upgrading to a larger electrical service - If your home's electrical needs have increased, you may need a larger main service panel and wire gauge to handle the added load. Rewiring gives you an opportunity to upgrade.
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Old and outdated wiring - If your home still has knob and tube wiring or cloth-wrapped wiring, it is well past due for an upgrade to modern and safer electrical wiring.
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Improving safety - Rewiring allows you to add more circuits, upgrade wiring gauge, add GFCIs, and ensure all wiring meets modern electrical codes for improved safety.
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Remodeling projects - Any major remodel involving moving walls or adding onto the home will require rewiring to route electricity to the new additions.
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Electrical issues and failures - Faulty wiring that causes flickering lights, tripping breakers, or shocks need to be replaced. Routine failures indicate aging wires at risk of more serious failure.
Dangers of Improper Electrical Work
While rewiring a home without a professional electrician can be done safely, undertaking do-it-yourself electrical work also comes with ample risks you must consider:
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Electrocution - Mistakes made when working with live wiring can lead to lethal electric shock. Turning off power at the main breaker does not guarantee wires are de-energized.
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Fire - Faulty connections, undersized wiring, and damage to wire insulation can overheat wires and ignite fires inside walls.
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Equipment damage - Mistakes can fry electrical equipment, generators, and appliances.
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Legal issues - Permit and inspection requirements vary by region. There may be legal penalties for unpermitted work done improperly.
Safety Precautions When Rewiring a Home
Follow these crucial safety steps when rewiring your house:
- Purchase a non-contact voltage tester. Double check wires are de-energized before working.
- Wear electrical gloves and eye protection. Use insulated tools.
- Pull a permit and call for necessary inspections of the work.
- Only undertake what you are confident you can do safely based on your skill level.
- Consult local codes and standards like the NEC for guidance.
- Work with the main breaker OFF. Then verify power is OFF at the wires.
- Clearly label all wires as you disconnect them.
- Take pictures before altering any existing wiring.
- Disconnect and cap unused wires safely.
Develop an Electrical Plan
A thoughtful electrical plan is key to a successful wiring project. Consider these factors in your plan:
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Service panel size - Choose a main service panel that offers enough space and amperage for all your home's circuits.
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Circuit layout - Map a layout of where all circuits will run and what they will power. Group rooms with similar load requirements onto shared circuits.
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Wire gauge calculations - Choose appropriate wire gauges based on circuit amp loads, distance, and NEC requirements.
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GFCI and AFCI circuits - Install ground fault and arc fault interrupter outlets and breakers where required.
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Future expansion - Leave room in your panel for additional circuits, and pre-run any wiring you may need later.
Purchase All Needed Electrical Supplies
- Wire - THHN wire for runs inside walls. various gauges for 20, 30 or 50 amp circuits.
- Conduit - EMT or PVC conduit for exposed wiring runs.
- Breakers - Circuit breakers, GFCI and AFCI breakers matched to your panel brand.
- Receptacles & switches - Match brand and amperage of other devices.
- Junction boxes - Ample electrical boxes for connections.
- Cable staples - To support cables running vertically in open walls.
- Wire nuts & connectors - Properly sized wire nuts for solid and stranded wires.
- Wall plates - Match style of other plates in home.
- Labels - For labeling all wires, cables, and breakers.
Step-by-Step Process for Rewiring
Follow these steps to systematically rewire your home room by room:
1. Turn Off Power
Shut off the main breaker. Verify power is off with a voltage tester. Turn off supplemental breakers as well.
2. Remove Old Wiring
Carefully extract existing wires from walls and conduits. Label each wire's circuit location as you disconnect it.
3. Install New Wiring Pathways
Run new conduit and cables. Secure wires properly, leaving excess length for connections. Use staples for vertical runs in open walls.
4. Replace the Service Panel
Install the new main service panel if upsizing your service. Then re-mount existing circuit breakers.
5. Connect Circuits Room by Room
Follow your circuit plan room by room. Connect wires to breakers securely. Group similar rooms like kitchen and laundry onto shared circuits.
6. Mount New Receptacles and Switches
Install matching new outlets, switches, and cover plates room by room. Follow NEC mounting height requirements.
7. Inspect and Test Circuits
Inspect all connections. Turn on power and carefully test each circuit using a project plan checklist.
8. Finish and Call for Inspection
Conceal new circuits neatly in walls. Caulk exterior conduit penetrations. Call your permit office to have an electrical inspector approve the completed system.
By systematically planning the project, purchasing materials ahead of time, safely disconnecting old wiring, and methodically connecting the new wiring room-by-room, you can successfully rewire your home without the need to hire an electrician. Pay strict attention to safety, research local codes thoroughly, and be honest with yourself about your electrical abilities before beginning such a major do-it-yourself project. With preparation and care, upgrading your home's wiring is a project an ambitious DIYer can tackle.