Whether you’re a new homeowner or just want to better familiarize yourself with your home’s electrical equipment, it’s helpful to have an understanding of breaker box labels. Some basic information may be all you need to restore power to a room or a single circuit instead of waiting for an electrician to arrive. Here’s what you should know.

How to Label Your Electrical Panel

What Should You Do First?

The first step is to assess the existing labels, if any, on the panel. If you’ve recently moved into the house, the labels the previous owners used may not apply to your layout. For example, the upstairs room on the right may have been their bedroom, but it could be your library. You’ll want to make these adjustments so you can easily assess which room requires attention if there’s an outage or if an electrician is performing work.

How Should You Test the Circuits?

It’s helpful to have a friend or family member assist as you go room by room together. To begin, give each breaker a number, starting with the first on the top left of the panel. Use a marker to firmly write the number on a fresh label next to the breaker. Then turn all of the breakers off. Communicating with your helper on the phone, turn the first breaker back on. Have them determine which area of the home the breaker controls. This is simple to verify by the presence of working lights and appliances in the room. Your helper can use a small device, like a hairdryer, to test outlets. Then label each breaker accordingly.

What Should You Keep in Mind?

Even if you just moved into the home, it’s a good idea to be specific in how you describe the room instead of using personal terms. For example, don’t use your child’s name when ascribing a breaker to their bedroom. Use “south-facing wall of east bedroom” or “top floor bathroom” to describe these spaces. This makes it easier for electricians to immediately find the right switch when they’re working and will spare future owners from figuring out which switch controls which room.

Finally, take a close look at the breaker box while you’re labeling it. Does it show any signs of damage, such as corrosion or plastic damage? You may need an electrical service technician to inspect it and possibly replace the panel.

Homeowners and business owners throughout Hahira, GA, trust in the professionals at Etheridge Electric Company Inc. for all their electrical service needs. Serving the community since 1973, these qualified electricians handle everything from service upgrades and landscape lighting to home inspections and electrical installations. Visit them online to learn more about their guaranteed work or call them at (229) 794-2148.