Get Organized and Label Your Electrical Panel

Having an unlabeled breaker box can be very frustrating, especially when faced with an electrical emergency. At Mr. Electric, we offer premium residential and commercial services for local property owners in the Katy and Houston, Texas area. Our certified electricians offer electrical panel repair, dedicated circuit installation, wiring upgrades and a variety of other popularly requested services. If you have a disorganized electrical panel, here are some tips on how to properly label your circuit switches to avoid future problems. 

Why Is it Important to Label Your Electrical Panel? 

While it’s a good idea to be organized simply for the sake of simplicity, there are other important benefits to keeping your electrical panel labeled. Having a visual representation of your electrical system will make it fast and easy to restore electricity to a circuit after a power surge or electrical issue. When you are dealing with the stress of an electrical storm, power grid failure or other serious concern, you don’t want to be forced to figure things out the hard way. Having your circuits clearly labeled ahead of time will make troubleshooting a breeze.  

Tips for Organizing and Labeling an Electrical Panel

The first tip is to find a partner who can walk through the house with a phone while you stay at the electrical panel. They can plug in a lamp or flip a light switch and let you know which areas are connected to each circuit. Use blank sticky labels that can be easily placed on the panel and write neatly with a permanent marker. Next, turn on all the lights and turn off all the switches at the breaker box except for the master switch. One by one, turn on the switch and write down where the lights came back on. If a switch is turned on, but it didn’t control any lights, then check nearby appliances or test outlets with a small lamp or device with an electrical cord. Washing machines, refrigerators and other large appliances will often have a double pole breaker. If so, then you might need to label two different breakers for a single appliance. 

When to Call a Professional Electrician

If you notice a damaged or dysfunctional circuit while labeling your electrical panel then call a nearby electrician right away. This could be an indicating of wiring problems that need to be addressed as quickly as possible. A professional electrical inspection can pinpoint the cause of your trouble, and they will have the training and specialized equipment needed to fix the issue so you can get back to enjoying a safe and efficient system.

Do You Need Help from a Certified Electrician? Call Mr. Electric Today 

Is your electrical panel in bad shape? Are you concerned that your outdated wiring may be putting your property at risk? Call the experts at Mr. Electric and find out how we can help improve the safety and security of your home or business. Contact our office for more details about our wide selection of services or to schedule an appointment with a certified, licensed and insured electrician in Katy, Houston, Texas or a nearby metro area neighborhood.