How to Wire a Residential House

Determine the location of the electrical panel and install it first. Locations for this may differ, depending on local codes, but three of the most common places include the basement, an exterior wall, or a utility room wall. The panel needs to hold one 15- or 20-amp breaker for every 600 square feet. Remember to consider double-pole breakers for electric dryers, air conditioners and other high-amperage appliances.

Connect a central plastic conduit pipe to the electrical panel and let it run down the center of the house, either under the house or in the attic. Run branches of smaller conduit from the central conduit to each room of the house. Secure the conduit to floor or ceiling joists with conduit clamps to hold it in place.

Drill the necessary holes in the bottom or top plates of the walls for the electrical cable to enter a room. This allows you to run the cable inside the walls. Install the electrical outlet boxes at least 12 inches from the floor. Drill holes in the studs at least 20 inches from the floor to route the cable to the outlet boxes.

Install outlets in the same wall within 12 feet of each other. Install the light switch boxes at least 48 inches from the floor in each room, as desired.

Feed the end of the cable-fishing tool into the conduit at the wall of one room. Continue pushing it through the conduit until it reaches the electrical panel. Hook the cable on the end of the cable-fishing wire and pull it back through the conduit until it reaches the room. Feed the cable to each outlet or light switch. Repeat this until the house has all the electrical wiring needed.