How to Wire Your Home the Old-Fashioned Way for Superior Safety

I have decided to wire my home the old-fashioned way using armored cable (AC) and metal junction boxes. This method provides superior safety compared to modern wiring techniques. Here is a step-by-step guide on how I wired my home the old-fashioned way.

Selecting the Right Materials

The first step is selecting the right materials. For wiring a home the old-fashioned way, you need:

• AC cable (armored cable) - This is a cable with an armor of flexible metal tape that provides extra protection. I chose a 12/2 gauge with ground.

• Metal junction boxes - These boxes are more durable than modern plastic boxes. I used galvanized steel 4" octagon boxes.

• Wall anchors - To secure the metal boxes to the wall studs. I used galvanized steel anchors.

• AC cable connectors - To securely connect the AC cables to the junction boxes. I used clamp-style connectors.

• Wall plates - To cover the junction boxes and hold the receptacles. I used sturdy steel plates.

• Receptacles - I used vintage-style receptacles with side wire terminals.

• Light switches - Vintage-style switches to match the receptacles.

• Breaker panel - For connecting the wiring to the main power supply. I reused my existing fused panel.

Running the AC Cable

With the materials selected, I was ready to start running the AC cable through the house:

• I planned each circuit carefully, marking locations for the junction boxes on the wall studs.

• I drilled holes in the wall studs for running the AC cable horizontally between boxes.

• I stapled the AC cable tightly to the studs every few feet for support.

• For vertical runs, I drilled holes through wall studs for dropping the cable down from upper floors.

• I left plenty of extra cable at each box for making connections.

• At boxes with switches, I used extra cable to run power from the switch to the light fixture.

Installing the Junction Boxes

Once the cable was run, I began installing the metal junction boxes:

• I secured each box to the wall stud with galvanized wall anchors screwed tightly into the stud.

• I used a connector on each AC cable end to firmly attach it to the junction box.

• For ceiling boxes, I screwed the boxes directly to ceiling joists or used metal brackets for extra support.

• The boxes were spaced at standard intervals based on room size and furniture placement.

• In the kitchen, I installed extra junction boxes above the countertops for flexibility.

Making Connections

The key to safety with old-fashioned wiring is making solid, secure connections:

• I carefully stripped the ends of the AC cable to expose clean, fresh copper for connections.

• For receptacle circuits, I joined white neutral wires together and black hot wires together using wire nuts.

• I connected the ground wires to the metal box using green screw terminals.

• For ceiling light circuits controlled by a switch, I used pigtails from the switch to the neutral bundle.

• I wrapped electrical tape around each wire nut and connection point as an extra precaution.

Finishing Touches

The final steps were installing the receptacles, switches, and wall plates:

• I securely attached the vintage-style receptacles and switches to each junction box.

• I installed wall plates using longer screws to ensure a tight fit to the box.

• I carefully labeled each circuit in the breaker panel with circuit number and room.

• Finally, I turned the main power back on and tested each circuit for proper function.

While wiring a home the old-fashioned way takes more time and effort, the end result is a safer, better-grounded electrical system that should provide many decades of reliable service. The durable materials and secure connections stand the test of time.