Home built in 1952 with ungrounded wiring – What can I do?
Okay I have been reading as much as possible about home electrical wiring and plan to pick up a book from the library and read some more. However I am novice when it comes to electrical am I crazy for thinking I can do these repairs on my own with a little reading (I am a pretty quick study). I have a muti-meter, AC current detector and an outlet tester (with the three lights). Here is what I am thinking of doing:
Run a new line to the Dryer and install a new outlet and 4 prong plug. Okay there is modern 10/3 romex running from the panel to a conduit. Past the conduit is old 10/3 ungrounded romex (insulation is starting to flake off). I was going to replace the old 10/3 romex with new stuff, install a new outlet (with ground) and replace the cord from the dryer to the outlet (b/c it is only 3 prong). Does this sound like something I can do myself? Also do I need a permit and/or inspection? I live near Syracuse NY.
Also, most of the outlets in the house are not grounded (two prong) and I would like to correct this issue. I opened up an outlet and confirmed that there was no grounding wire in the original romex. The old wire has black tar like stuff on the outside then a cloth like material and finally plastic wrapped hot and neutral wires. I think is it 12/2 style but I guess it could be 14/2.
Should I replace all the old wire with new 12/2 romex or should I just try to run a separate grounding wire back to the panel? Can I do this myself? I was going to try to do the basement exposed wires first. If that is not too hard then maybe I will look into doing the rest of the house.
Running new cable as you describe is the best method to upgrading to grounded outlets.
Whether you can do this or not is up to you and your skills and knowledge working with wire, connectors, staples, and most important, insuring each and every wire connection be perfect.
Any new work usually needs a permit, esp. by homeowners. Best to check with your local building or code enforcement office for permitting, and any local codes.
Look for the how to wire books for materials, methods, techniques, etc.
Whether you can do this or not is up to you and your skills and knowledge working with wire, connectors, staples, and most important, insuring each and every wire connection be perfect.
You say that every wire connection be perfect can you clarify exactly what you mean. I am assuming you mean more than simply hooking up the right wires to each other and the right connectors etc.
I would say that my skill level is pretty low, as I have not done anything like this before (new homeowner). The knowledge I am working on and I am confident that I can learn wiring. Would you say it take a lot of skill to splice wires connect them etc with the right tools/knowledge? Would the average homeowner be able to do these kinds of repairs with plenty of time a few good books and the persistence to do the job right?
What I mean by each connection, along with making sure each wire connects where it belongs, that each splice and screw connection be made properly and tight. This will need technique and mechanical aptitude.
The How To books should show how to make the various connections.
Loose wire connections are the major cause of flickering lights, intermittent power, burned out appliances and light bulbs, and fire.
Just wrapping a wire around a screw terminal is often done wrong by DIY'ers, remember to wrap the wire clockwise around the screw, so it closes as the screws is tightened.
It takes electricians 4-5 years of apprenticeship to learn the trade, of course, to learn all the codes, materials to work with, circuitry, safety, etc.
Different types cables need to be supported certain distances. Connectors need to be snug just right, boxes need to be mounted in certain fashion, so on and so on. Everything must be done "in a workmanship like manner".
You can review the National Electric Code found in a sticky note at the beginning of this forum for these various codes.
Look thru the code and how to books to see what your up against.
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