Rewire...

[ReiKo]

Bought my first house and the electrical company is going to be bringing in 400amp service to the house via underground.... 200amp for the house and 200amp for the garage when I demo it and rebuild the garage...

For now I'm going to rewire majority of the house since the electrical is 1960's in the house...

What brand's of cable do you recommend? Same goes for outlets and circuit breakers... I only want high quality parts for this... Nothing cheap...

 

[Stuart in MN]

Just because the electrical system was installed in the 1960s doesn't necessarily mean it needs to be replaced - is the wiring in conduit or is it nonmetallic cable (Romex)? Do you have grounded receptacles?

It will help to post where you live as well, since wiring requirements may vary.

 

[Greatbear]

As long as the current wiring (no pun intended) is in decent shape, with proper grounding and the proper capacity, there is no need to replace unless you are planning an increase in ampacity (20 amps from 15, for example). Replacing the devices is not a bad idea, especially if they are original. I would use the specification grade (or better) devices from Leviton, Hubbell or Cooper, staying away from the less-than-a-dollar bulk devices. If you are updating your load center, I recommend Square D QO.

 

[ReiKo]

Just because the electrical system was installed in the 1960s doesn't necessarily mean it needs to be replaced - is the wiring in conduit or is it nonmetallic cable (Romex)? Do you have grounded receptacles?

It will help to post where you live as well, since wiring requirements may vary.

Nonmetallic cable and no ground receptables at all...

Sorry Detroit MI

 

[ReiKo]

As long as the current wiring (no pun intended) is in decent shape, with proper grounding and the proper capacity, there is no need to replace unless you are planning an increase in ampacity (20 amps from 15, for example). Replacing the devices is not a bad idea, especially if they are original. I would use the specification grade (or better) devices from Leviton, Hubbell or Cooper, staying away from the less-than-a-dollar bulk devices. If you are updating your load center, I recommend Square D QO.

Alot of the Circuit breakers in the house are only 10 amps... I wanted to update them to at least 15amps... And thanks I'll look into those companies...

 

[Alchymist]

Alot of the Circuit breakers in the house are only 10 amps... I wanted to update them to at least 15amps... And thanks I'll look into those companies...

^^^^ What he said on the Square D QO panel. (Not the HO!).^^^^

I'd put all outlets on 20 amp breakers (#12 wire). Lighting circuits can go on 15 amp breakers and #14. I never place a light circuit on an outlet circuit. Who wants to be in the dark when someone plugs something in and pops a breaker? I tend to overkill - no more than 4, max 5 outlets on a breaker, and I split a living room up with at least 2 circuits. Kitchens require more, bathrooms and kitchens require GFCIs, and I put them on all outlet circuits, using receptacle style. (Refrig & freezer are exceptions). Local codes may require different.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Nonmetallic cable and no ground receptables at all...

Sorry Detroit MI

Just because you do not have grounded receptacles does not mean there is not a ground wire attached the the back of the box and then clipped off. I live in your neighborhood and have a home built in the early 50s. All boxes are grounded.

If you are doing any remodeling in the kitchen or bath I think code requires you to upgrade to GFCI.

 

[ReiKo]

Just because you do not have grounded receptacles does not mean there is not a ground wire attached the the back of the box and then clipped off. I live in your neighborhood and have a home built in the early 50s. All boxes are grounded.

If you are doing any remodeling in the kitchen or bath I think code requires you to upgrade to GFCI.

I checked the boxes no ground wire... what do I do?

 

[Falcon67]

Southwire is the most common brand and it as good as anything. If you want grounded and the house is wired with 2 conductor, no ground - you'll have to pull all new. If the existing is stapled in the walls, you'll have to fish all new runs from the attic. It'd be easier if you can use the old runs as a pull string. Been there, done that - it's a job. Otherwise, you leave the ungrounded outlets and live with it.

As for breakers and such - everybody has their own flag to fly. Square D, GE - any of the major brands are good. Pick one that fits your needs and that you can find parts for fairly easily. I've always used GE and never had an issue. Others hate it - your pick.

 

[frank_c]

I just did the same thing.

PO had the living room and a big room in the basement on the same circuit. Five outlets upstairs and six downstairs, plus three lights by the front door. I had planned on splitting the two rooms anyways, and while in the process of removing the basement outlets I found one white wire that looked like the insulation started to melt. I decided everything was coming out. None of the outlets were grounded, and most of the wiring was the old cloth over rubber insulation stuff. Fortunately I could do all this from the basement.

Took a day or so but it's done. 20 amp breaker, #12 wire, new outlets and junction boxes. Only thing that stayed were the metal boxes in the wall.

Once I open up a wall in one of the closets I'll run a new wire for the outside lights and a ceiling fan.