How to Wire Your Home's Electrical System from Scratch as a Complete Beginner

I decided to wire my home's electrical system myself as a complete beginner. It was a daunting task, but with proper research and preparation, it can be done safely. Here is how I approached it step-by-step:

Learning the Basics of Electrical Systems

Before touching a single wire, I made sure to educate myself on the fundamentals of electrical systems. Here are some of the key things I learned:

• Current - Current is the flow of electrons through a conductor like a wire. It is measured in amps.

• Voltage - Voltage represents electrical potential difference. It pushes the current through the system. It is measured in volts.

• Power - Power is the rate at which electricity is consumed. It is measured in watts. Power is calculated by multiplying current x voltage.

• AC and DC - Alternating current (AC) flows back and forth. Direct current (DC) flows in one direction. Home electrical systems use AC power.

• Circuit Breakers - Circuit breakers cut off power when a circuit is overloaded as a safety precaution.

• Grounding - Grounding connects electrical systems to the earth, providing a safe path for excess electric charge to dissipate.

I read books like Wiring Complete by Michael Litchfield and watched many online videos to grasp these concepts.

Gathering the Right Tools and Materials

Wiring a house requires an assortment of tools and materials. Here is an essential list:

• Wire strippers - For stripping insulation off wires

• Voltage tester - For testing if wires are live

• Clamps and staple gun - For securing wires

• Drywall saw - For cutting drywall to run wires

• Fish tape - For routing wires through walls

• Cable staples - For attaching cables to studs

• Wire nuts - For joining and capping wires

• Electrical tape - For insulation

• 14/2 and 12/2 NM electrical wire - For 15 amp and 20 amp branch circuits

• Breakers - For the service panel

• GFCI outlets - For protection from shock in wet areas

I purchased supplies from my local hardware store. For big items like breakers, I hired an electrician to supply.

Planning the Wiring Layout

I created a detailed plan for running wires to all locations in the house needing power. I drew up blueprints indicating:

• Location of the service panel - The main breaker box

• Circuit routes - Pathways for running wires through walls and ceilings

• Outlet and switch placements - Where everything would be installed

• Load calculations - To determine required wire and breaker sizes

Proper planning ensured I didn't run short on supplies and helped make the wiring process smooth.

Installing the Service Panel

The service panel (breaker box) is the central hub of a home's electrical system. It contains the main shutoff, fuse boxes, and distributes power to all circuits.

I hired an electrician to:

• Install a 200 amp service panel according to my home's needs

• Connect the service entrance wires from the utility company

• Ground the system properly with copper rods and wires

This guaranteed a safely installed service panel up to code.

Running the Circuit Wiring

With my supplies and plan ready, I began routing wires:

• I fed wires through holes drilled in studs to route to each location

• I stapled cables tightly to studs every 4-6 inches for security

• I ran 2 or 3 wires through the same opening for multi-wire branch circuits

• For safety, I kept 120V wires separated from low voltage ones

• I labeled every wire at both ends for easy identification

• I pulled all wires gently to avoid damage and kinks

I repeated this process to run each circuit, one by one.

Installing the Outlets, Switches and Lights

With the wires run, I began installing everything they would connect to:

• I installed outdoor rated boxes for exterior outlets

• For indoor outlets, I used plastic handy boxes

• I securely fastened each box and cover to studs or joists

• For switches, I chose general use commercial grade devices

• For ceiling lights, I installed simple junction boxes with ceiling roses

• Everything was properly mounted at standard heights for accessibility

The outlets, switches and lights transformed the skeleton wiring into a fully functioning system.

Connecting the Wires

The fun part came when it was time to connect the miles of wire I had run:

• I carefully stripped 5/8" of insulation from each wire end using strippers

• To join wires, I twisted matching colors together clockwise and secured with wire nuts

• I wrapped connections with electrical tape for additional moisture protection

• I connected the two hot wires of each circuit to separate breakers in the panel

• Ground wires were connected to grounding bars in the service panel

• I made sure outlet wires were connected to the correct screws (hot, neutral, ground)

Each connection required meticulous attention to detail.

Testing and Troubleshooting

With everything connected, I tested each circuit:

• I turned the power back on at the main breaker

• At the panel, I switched each individual breaker on to test the corresponding circuit

• I checked outlets with a receptacle tester and resolved any problems

• For multi-wire branch circuits, I tested with both breakers on simultaneously

• I used a voltage tester to confirm power at switch terminals

• To check grounding, I used a multimeter to verify 0 resistance between outlets and ground

I methodically inspected each component until everything functioned properly.

Important Safety Notes

Working with electrical wiring is extremely dangerous. Here are some key safety guidelines I followed:

• I shut off the main breaker to ensure wires were dead while working

• I wore rubber-soled shoes and insulated gloves when handling wires

• I carefully checked wires were disconnected before touching fixtures

• I kept the workspace clear of water and debris at all times

• I connected the ground wires on devices first for stability while working

• I inspected my work to confirm proper polarity and grounding

• I had my finished work thoroughly inspected by the local building department

There are high risks of shock, burns, and fire if safety rules are not diligently followed.

In conclusion, wiring my home required extensive planning and meticulous care. But with proper precautions, the right tools, and by following local building codes, even a total beginner can successfully wire their own home's electrical system. The result was a professionally installed electrical system customized to my needs, at a fraction of the price.