Residential Electrical System Renovation

Complete rewiring of a 200m² three-story home including installation of new electrical conduits requiring precise pipe cutting and fitting of PVC and metal electrical conduits throughout the house.

Steps

1 / 8 | Preparing and Pre-cutting Conduit Sections at Workshop

Electricians at Elektro Schmidt GmbH are preparing for the Familie Müller residential renovation by pre-cutting electrical conduits to standard lengths. The team is working methodically at the workshop, measuring and marking PVC and metal conduits according to the house plans and specifications. They use pipe cutters to ensure clean, precise cuts without burrs or rough edges that could damage wiring. After cutting, each section is deburred using appropriate tools to create smooth edges. The conduits are then organized by type, diameter, and length, and labeled clearly to ensure efficiency during on-site installation. The team also prepares specialized angle cuts for corners and junctions according to the home's layout. Each cut piece is checked against the measurements twice before final approval, maintaining the company's high standard for precision.

2 / 8 | Removing Existing Electrical Systems and Documentation

This task involves the careful removal of the existing electrical system throughout the three-story residence while creating detailed documentation of the original installation. The electricians are systematically working through each room, removing fixtures, outlets, switches, and associated wiring after turning off power at the main breaker. They are photographing each fixture before removal, labeling all components, and creating detailed diagrams showing the original wiring paths, junction box locations, and circuit assignments. Special attention is paid to identifying the function of each circuit and any non-standard installations. The team is also inspecting removed components for signs of damage, wear, or outdated materials that could indicate potential safety issues. They're working methodically to minimize damage to wall surfaces while ensuring all old wiring is completely removed from conduits where possible.

3 / 8 | Installing Main Electrical Distribution Panel with Moisture Protection in Basement

The electricians are installing a new main electrical distribution panel in the Müller family's basement. This critical component serves as the central hub for the home's entire electrical system. The team first assessed the existing panel location, ensuring it meets current safety codes and accessibility requirements. Before installation, they carefully turned off the main power supply and verified with voltage testers that no current is present. The electricians are mounting the new panel on a specially treated moisture-resistant backboard that sits approximately 1.5 cm away from the basement wall, creating an air gap to prevent moisture transfer. They're using stainless steel mounting hardware resistant to corrosion. The panel itself is an IP55-rated enclosure designed for damp environments. As they work, they're meticulously labeling all circuits according to German DIN standards and documenting the panel layout for future reference. They're paying special attention to proper grounding and ensuring the neutral bar is correctly isolated from the ground bar in accordance with VDE regulations. The team is also installing surge protection devices and residual current devices (RCDs) for each circuit group as required by current regulations. The basement location presents specific challenges that the team is addressing with specialized moisture protection techniques.

4 / 8 | Cutting and Installing PVC Conduits in Basement

The electricians are working on installing new PVC electrical conduits in the basement of Familie Müller's three-story home. This critical task involves taking precise measurements along the basement walls and ceiling, marking installation points, cutting PVC conduits to exact specifications, securing them with appropriate fixtures, and ensuring proper alignment for future wire threading. The team is carefully following the electrical plan while adapting to the basement's structural features. They are using pipe cutters to create clean, burr-free cuts that will allow for smooth wire installation later. Each conduit section must be properly joined with PVC cement at connection points, secured with clamps at regular intervals (approximately every 1 meter), and installed with the correct slight gradient to prevent water accumulation. Special attention is being paid to areas where conduits intersect with water pipes or other utilities, ensuring proper clearance and compliance with electrical code requirements. The team is also installing junction boxes at planned connection points and creating proper radius bends where directional changes are needed.

5 / 8 | Installing Metal Conduits for High-Protection Areas

The electricians are cutting and fitting metal conduits in areas of the Müller residence that require additional protection beyond standard PVC conduits. This includes areas near heat sources, outdoor connections, and sections where wiring might be exposed to physical damage. The team is using specialized pipe cutters designed for metal conduits, which make clean cuts without deforming the conduit ends. They're measuring each section precisely according to the building plans, marking cut lines with permanent markers, and securing the conduits in pipe vises before cutting. After cutting, they're carefully deburring all edges to protect the wiring that will later be pulled through. The metal conduits are being connected using threaded couplings which require the application of anti-seize compound to prevent future corrosion. Where conduits connect to junction boxes, proper grounding connections are being established using grounding screws and copper wire. The team is paying particular attention to maintaining proper bend radius on all curves to ensure wire pulling won't be problematic later.

6 / 8 | Threading Electrical Wiring Through Conduits and Connection to Junction Boxes

This task involves the careful threading of electrical wires through the previously installed PVC and metal conduits throughout the three-story home, followed by proper connection to junction boxes. The electricians use a combination of fish tapes, pulling lubricant, and wire pulling techniques to ensure wires are not damaged during installation. They systematically work through each circuit pathway, starting from the main panel in the basement and working outward to various junction boxes and termination points. For each run, they identify the correct wire gauge and type based on the circuit load requirements and electrical code specifications. At junction boxes, they leave appropriate service loops (extra wire length) and carefully strip insulation using wire strippers calibrated to the specific wire gauge to avoid damaging the conductors. Connections are made using appropriate wire nuts or terminal blocks, with all conductors color-coded according to German electrical standards (brown/black/gray for phases, blue for neutral, green-yellow for ground). All connections are tested for continuity before junction boxes are closed.

7 / 8 | Install new ceiling fixtures and outlets throughout all three floors

This task involves the installation of all new electrical fixtures (ceiling lights, switches, and power outlets) across the entire three-story home. The electricians must follow the previously established wiring plan, ensuring each fixture is properly mounted, connected, and tested before final placement. For ceiling fixtures, this includes mounting junction boxes securely to ceiling joists, connecting the appropriate wires with wire nuts after confirming proper voltage, and then attaching decorative covers. For wall outlets and switches, the team must ensure boxes are flush with the wall surface, wires are properly connected with sufficient length in the box, and faceplates are level and securely attached. Each outlet must be properly grounded, and GFCI outlets must be installed in wet areas like bathrooms and kitchen. Special attention is given to maintaining consistent heights for all switches and outlets throughout the home according to German electrical standards. All connections must be made according to color-coding standards (brown for live, blue for neutral, green-yellow for ground) and properly torqued to ensure secure connections.

8 / 8 | Testing Electrical Circuits and Connections for Safety Compliance

After completing the installation work of a complete house rewiring, the electricians must now thoroughly test all electrical circuits and connections to ensure they meet safety standards and function properly. This critical final phase involves systematic testing of every circuit, connection point, outlet, and fixture in the home. The electricians use specialized testing equipment to verify proper voltage readings, correct polarity, proper grounding, and insulation resistance. They methodically work through each circuit in the distribution panel, checking continuity and ensuring there are no short circuits or potential hazards. During testing, they document all readings in a formal testing protocol that will be submitted to the client and kept for regulatory compliance. Any issues discovered require immediate correction and retesting. The team must verify that circuit loads are properly balanced across the three phases and that all protective devices like circuit breakers and RCDs (residual current devices) trip within specified parameters. The testing process concludes with a complete system verification under load conditions to ensure the installation can handle the expected power demands of the household.