ask the electrician
Electrician Training Electrical Certification wiring recessed light fixtures Electrical Wiring Electrical Troubleshooting and Electrical Repairs wire outdoor light fixture Home Electrical Wiring Diagrams
wiring home generator and transfer switch wiring a 220 volt range cord outlet Wiring for GFCI Outlets Wiring Outlets and a Switched Outlet Wiring and Installing Ceiling Fans and Remote Controls wire dimmer switch wiring diagrams for switches wiring a dryer cord and 220 outlet circuit breaker panel
Electrical Wire and Cable


Upgrading Old Home Electrical Wiring

How to Upgrade Older Home Wiring: One consideration when upgrading older home electrical wiring would be to use Wiremold short box extensions and run Wiremold surface raceway electrical conduit between the devices to install the wires.


Home Electrical Wiring Video

How to Wire a GFCI Outlet
without a Ground Wire

Check out my YouTube Channel and Subscribe to my Videos
» AskTheElectrician «

NOTE: A List of All my Helpful Videos
Will Display at the End of This Video
So Keep Watching So I Can Help You Wire it Right!

Options for Installing New Home Wiring
Electrical Question:I have a home built in 1948. It has two prong outlets. I had the outside and inside box brought up to code.

Any suggestions would be helpful.

This electrical question came from: Jay, a Homeowner from Fort Myers, Florida.

Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your electrical question Jay.

How to Install Surface Wiring on Concrete Walls

Application: Upgrading Older Home Electrical Wiring.
Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced. This electrical wiring project is best performed by a Licensed Electrical Contractor or Certified Electrician.
Tools Required: Electricians Pouch of Hand Tools for Rough-In Wiring, Electric Drill and Auger Bits, Extension Cords, and Ladders.
Construction Safety: All personal safety measures must be taken when performing remodel projects where you may come into contact with hazardous materials and environmental contaminants such as fiberglass insulation, vermiculite and asbestos, molds or mildew, as well as dust.
Estimated Time: Depends on the extent of the project, the type of wall coverings and structural construction and available access to the project area.
Precaution: Any existing wiring in the immediate area that may interfere with the installation should be identified and turned OFF and Tagged.
Notice: Installing additional electrical wiring or upgrading existing electrical circuits and wiring should always be done according to local and national electrical codes with a permit and be inspected.

Surface Raceway Conduit for Electrical Wiring

A Solution When You Need to Install Surface Electrical Wiring is to use a Surface Conduit.

More about Upgrading Home Electrical Wiring

Electrical Wiring
Electrical Wiring
Home electrical wiring projects with pictures and wiring diagrams.


The following may also be helpful for you:

Dave's Guide to Home Electrical Wiring:

» You Can Avoid Costly Mistakes! «

Here's How to Do It:
Wire It Right with the help of my Illustrated Wiring Book

Great for any Home Wiring Project.
  electrical wiring  

Complete Guide to Home Electrical Wiring

Perfect for Homeowners, Students,
Handyman, Handy Women, and Electricians
Includes:
Wiring GFCI Outlets
Wiring Home Electric Circuits
120 Volt and 240 Volt Outlet Circuits
Wiring Light Switches
Wiring 3-Wire and 4-Wire Electric Range
Wiring 3-Wire and 4-Wire Dryer Cord and Dryer Outlet
How to Troubleshoot and Repair Electrical Wiring
Wiring Methods for Upgrading Electrical Wiring
NEC Codes for Home Electrical Wiring
....and much more.


Learn more about Home Electrical Wiring
with my Online Video Course:
Basic Home Electrical Wiring by Example


Be Careful and Be Safe - Never Work on Energized Circuits!
Consult your Local Building Department about Permits and Inspections for all Electric Wiring Projects.

Electrical Tips to Help You Wire it Right

The Safest Way to Test Electrical Devices and Identify Electric Wires!

The Non-Contact Electrical Tester
This is a testing tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and is the first test tool I grab to help identify electrical wiring. It is a Non-contact tester that I use to easily Detect Voltage in Cables, Cords, Circuit Breakers, Lighting Fixtures, Switches, Outlets and Wires. Simply insert the end of the tester into an outlet, lamp socket, or hold the end of the tester against the wire you wish to test. Very handy and easy to use.

The Quickest Way to Check for Faulty Electrical Wiring!

The Plug-In Outlet Tester
This is the first tool I grab to troubleshoot a problem with outlet circuit wiring. This popular tester is also used by most inspectors to test for power and check the polarity of circuit wiring.
It detects probable improper wiring conditions in standard 110-125 VAC outlets Provides 6 probable wiring conditions that are quick and easy to read for ultimate efficiency Lights indicate if wiring is correct and indicator light chart is included Tests standard 3-wire outlets UL Listed Light indicates if wiring is incorrect Very handy and easy to use.

Strip Off Wire Insulation without Nicking and Damaging the Electric Wire!

The Wire Stripper and Wire Cutter
My absolute favorite wire stripping tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and this is the tool I use to safely strip electrical wires.
This handy tool has multiple uses:
The wire gauges are shown on the side of the tool so you know which slot to use for stripping insulation.
The end of the tool can be used to grip and bend wire which is handy for attaching wire onto the screw terminals of switches and outlets..

The wire stripper will work on both solid and stranded wire. This tool is Very Handy and Easy to Use.


More articles about Wiring Methods, Wiring Questions and Home Electrical Wiring:
« Previous Next »
How To Wire a Ceiling Fan and Light Fixture Bathroom Exhaust Fan and Light Electrical Wiring


FAQs Frequently Asked Questions and Comments

7 Responses to “Upgrading Old Home Electrical Wiring”
  1. Mike Currie says:

    Great advice about the wiring!

  2. Dave Rongey says:

    Thanks Mike,
    If you would like to submit an article about the benefits of Solar Energy from your companies perspective please let me know.

  3. JB says:

    I recently bought an older home and had a problem with part of a circuit going dead. After investigating I find the problem is due to wires coming out of the back of the recepticle that were just push-ins. Now I am in the process of replacing every recepticle in the house and wrapping the wires around the screws but have found one that even though is turned off in the breaker panel still has .8 volts according to my multimeter. Is there any danger in changing this recepticle out? What precuations do i need to take if any?

  4. Franky Blake says:

    I have a concrete home that was built in 1944. i was shocked to find out that the r-value of concrete is only r-10 so I have been installing 3/4″ r-5 rated Styrofoam insulation (1 hole sheet tacked with 3/4″ nailers) then 16″ strips of Styrofoam between my nailers 🙂 hopefully getting R-20, but this gives me 2 advantages, insulation and a 1.5″ void to run NEW WIRING 🙂 I run my wiring up from the crawl space and thru conduit inside the walls “maybe an over-kill” but hey better safe than sorry. THANKS DAVE YOU ARE MY HERO 🙂 if I had to pay for all the info I have gotten from you I would might as well hired an electrician. Thanks for the codes and the wiring diagrams you even got me thinking about going to school to get my license cause dang this electrician thing might just be the way to go 😉 Many Thanks

  5. Dave Rongey says:

    Thanks Very Much, Franky!
    Sorry about the delayed reply, but I have been swamped, so I’m doing my best to catch up between the website questions and the blog comments. I really appreciate your comments which are very encouraging. I hope you come back and visit often. Additional home electrical wiring information is being added all the time with more on the way, so be sure to spread the word!
    Hey Franky, be sure to use nail safety plates on those 1 1/2 inch nailer strips if you are boring holes to install additional wiring. I know exactly what you are doing as I have installed wiring this way when clients decide to finish off their basements or fur out a concrete or cinder block walls. This method works well, but there is very little safe areas for electrical wiring.
    Thanks Again Franky,
    Dave

  6. Alex says:

    Hi Dave,
    I would like to know how to estimate electrical wiring jobs including the wiring materials and particular knowing the quantity of cables and materials that are needed. Can I get such guidance in your book Complete Guide to Home Electric Wiring?
    Thanks.
    Alex

  7. Dave Rongey says:

    Hi Alex,
    Although my new Home Electrical Wiring book is quite extensive I have not included information about Estimating Electrical Jobs or Projects, however I am seriously considering making a separate book for Electricians, Contractors, Inspectors, Handymen and Handy-Women and include how to estimate electrical jobs including labor and materials.
    Thank you for your interest.
    Dave