Labeling Panel

Chemist1961

Recently I saw a set of Avery labels done up for a breaker panel. Does anyone know if ther is a free download for this purpose so I can tidy up an old panel?

KAdams4458

I suppose that's not a bad idea. I have used their design and print website for small projects before. Something there may work for you.

http://www.avery.com/avery/en_us/Tem...int-Online.htm

Another option, and the one that I use, is the Brother P-touch. I got addicted to those things when I worked in telecom, and now I use one everywhere. They're excellent for creating nice labels in a load center, and are way tougher than anything you can print on an Avery label. Compared to labels and a printer, I think they're not only more economical, but are obviously far more versatile.

http://www.brother-usa.com/PTouch/

Jim Port

I have an Excel spreadsheet that I print on full page stickers. For a Cutler-Hammer CH panel I use the Avery 8195 labels. A template is available for those.

Scuba_Dave

Until my entire house remodel is done I keep it in an Excel spreadsheet
I print out a copy & keep it attached to the plywood right beside the panel
Spread sheet tracks everything on every circuit
I also total out the MAX fixture ratings for each lighting circuit
Comes in very handy

KAdams4458

Excellent idea. I'd probably laminate that sucker when all was said and done. Someone in the future will love you for it.

I'd be curious to see how your spreadsheet template, if you bothered making one. My current mapping of existing circuits is getting hard to make sense of, and I might just go the spreadsheet route.

Scuba_Dave

I don't have a map - diagram of where the wires run
That's in my head
I do list what is connected to a breaker, using plain terminology
IE Main room front, back corner bedroom (IE not john's bedroom)

I specify which outlets/lights etc
Outlet on mantel nearest hallway
Outlet on mantel nearest dining room
A seperate worksheet lists the lighting circuits & what they have connected for fixtures & bulbs in use (wattage)

I use the same setup for all 3 panels

Thurman

I keep a Brother P-Touch in my work trailer with 1/4 tape. I got so used to Brady wire markers when I was employed before retirement that I missed them when I started this business. I use the P-Touch labeling to mark various items, including panels and wires. Avery is a good choice also, I just don't carry my computer around with me. Thanks, David

KAdams4458

Scuba_Dave, that looks great. It's very clear what is what with your spreadsheet. I'm going to copy your work, if you don't mind.


Ah. Another addict.

Chemist1961

Hey,
Thanks guys. I had thought about before using my P Touch but my wife was setting up Avery labels for a friend yesterday and I remembered seeing them on a panel at a home last year. Now if my 6 year old tape is still OK I'm Golden
Scuba, excellent idea on the spread sheet. I think I'll do both. I have ALU wiring so the more I can track detail wise, the better. This way I can also note my upgrades...

Scuba_Dave

I actually have a label system too
But since things are changing I didn't want to have to re-label
There usually just isn't enough room in the panel to label everything on the circuit
Unless its a new house & you run one circuit to cover everything in the room
Plus with the spread sheet I can label the wire size used & if new wire or old wire
And color coding too

tns1

As I understand it the required circuit labeling is just what scuba has done here to identify the loads associated with each breaker and have that posted at or near the panel. What about cable and wire labeling?

The reason I ask is I picked up a an Ideal label kit for my panel rewire job, only to find it has very small tape pieces with numbers only. It seems suited for individual wires only, not cables. If you really wanted to label your wiring, I think you would want to label each breaker, each cable, and maybe each wire in the cable and have that all referenced to a wiring diagram. Is there some standard scheme?

Scuba_Dave

You want to label wires near the panel & wires in the panel?
I don't think there is any standard scheme

Labels in the panel (hots) could be nice if moving to a new panel
Neutrals & grounds not really needed as they just go to the proper buss
I use a sharpie to write on the cables near the panel to identify the cable
But since I've rewired a lot I usually know what wire is what

tns1

I have only seen the wiring in a few homes, and those did not have any wire or cable labeling - just breaker labels. I have also been in a few factories and have worked on manufacturing equip, (and vehicles) where labeling or color coding every wire is common practice, and it must be traceable to a design dwg.

For my own house, I'd at least want a label on each cable end. I guess a label on individual wires is overkill unless you have shared neutral wiring that is really two branch circuits, and not a single 240v circuit. Maybe just adding a couple of columns to that spreadsheet would do it.

Out of curiosity I did see a house wiring diagram that used some kind of shorthand notation of three or more numbers a,b,c for each section of cabling. Rather than a cable ID, I believe it was meant to show how many hots, neutrals and grounds were in that run, but I am not sure.

Scuba_Dave

I label new hots in the panel before they are connected
I leave them after connections have been made
But I think too many labels would make it look a mess
Labeling the cables outside the panel is a much better idea

Speedy Petey

I have a few different formats of panel directories in spreadsheet format.

I like to use sticky backed full sheet protectors stuck to the inside door of the panel. This way the customer can remove the sheet and make changes if they need.

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