Labeling Your Electrical Panel 

Why Labeling is Important

When your electrical panel is properly labeled, partial outages due to a tripped breaker can be more quickly located and diagnosed. However, when the labels are damaged or missing, you may have to go through a series of steps, possibly in the dark, to find which outlets each switch connects to. Every electrical problem them becomes a blind hunt through your home, often at the most inconvenient times. Also, having proper labels in place will assist electricians when repairing, installing or replacing electrical components. And, if you plan on selling your home in the future, you could be violating electrical codes if your panel box is left blank.

How to Label Your Electrical Panel

The easiest method is to hire a certified electrician for the task during your next annual inspection or repair. They will be fast and accurate at determining how to label the switches. However, if your next inspection is months away, and you want to take the DIY approach, you’ll need to do things the old-fashioned way. Turn off one switch at a time, and navigate the house to determine which outlets, lights, etc. were effected by your action. Be sure to double check, as you don’t want to be misinformed during an urgent situation. 

Tips for Success

To truly maximize your efforts, there are some extra precautions to take to ensure labeling success. First, try to make your labels as permanent as possible. Consider using high quality sticker labels with printed writing so the words are legible to anyone who may be working on your electrical system. Also, avoid names like “Mike’s Room” or “The Office”, because the family that moves into the house next will have no idea what that means. Also, you could rearrange your rooms later, and could confuse members of your household. Instead, try to use more precise language or terms that involves directions, like “2nd Room to the Left on Upper Floor”. 

Need Help with Your Home’s Electrical System? Call Mr. Electric of Fort Worth

Are you struggling with an outdated or damaged electrical panel? Whether you’re missing labels, dealing with old wiring issues or have noticed that your breaker switches aren’t working properly, it’s vital that you get your electrical issues fixed fast. Call the experts at Mr. Electric of Fort Worth, and we’ll help make your home safe and energy efficient at an affordable price. If you live in Fort Worth, Arlington, Burleson, Aledo, Weatherford or another surrounding North Texas community, call our office today to schedule your next appointment.