How to Map Your Home’s Electrical Panel

It is important to make sure that the circuit breakers are off when performing electrical work in your home to avoid consequences that come along with live circuit. A household should have an electric panel that shows a list and areas where each circuit breaker corresponds. If in doubt about the information given, or the circuit diagram is missing or damages, it is important to seek the right information by mapping the electrical panel.  Mapping involves verification of the connections by shutting down the breakers where it is easy to map when two people are involved.

First, it is important to understand your circuitry. It is good to look out for labels in your electrical panel such as bathroom, living room among others. It is important to note that such circuit can possibly control the fixture in the designated areas.  In case the wiring was done after the mapping has been done, there is a possibility of uncounted wired outlets in the mapping.

An excellent way of mapping the electrical panel is to have one person walking around the rooms while the other one stays at the panel. Communication can be enhanced by the use of mobile phones to cut short tips back and forth. You should also ensure clear numbering of electric circuits for the unclear ones before begging the task.  A person who is walking around should have a tester, pen, and paper for I information picking. Also, it is vital to turn on all appliances, electronics, and lights except devices that need to be carefully shut down like the computers.

The one positioned at the electrical panel should shut off a breaker at a time in order to determine the \deactivated appliances, lights, and electronics inside and outside the house.  It is essential to take notes on the outcome for easier mapping. After collecting all the necessary information, you can create a circuit map by having a list or a table with detailed information on fixtures, outlets, rooms, and appliances. Homeowners can carry the mapping by themselves and if they find it unusual, they can seek the help of a professional and licensed electrician.