Does anyone want a FREE template for CIRCUIT BREAKER LABELS?

[shopnut]

I’M SHARING MINE WITH THE FINE FOLKS ON GJ…

I created these labels after getting frustrated using the difficult-to-read schedule listed on the backside of my main panel door. I found it handy to have the label right next to the breaker so you don’t have to look at the door label and then figure out which breaker it is.

There is an MicroSoft-EXCEL file available for download. You WILL need to do some editing to match your own panel, of course, but I’m not going to do EVERYTHING for you!
Thanks goes to forum member mpire for putting my file on his server for all to download.

Here’s what they look like installed and a closeup of my printout (click images to enlarge):
852-266-Back Wall.JPG 853-Electrical-Labels-01.JPG

This link takes you over to my Asylum build thread where all details can be found and future updates will be made:
Label Download Instructions (Asylum thread reply #757)

Good Luck and I hope you find them useful!

(I have not checked the NEC for any violations this may cause so to the electrical professionals out there - if you see something that doesn’t look right, please speak up and I will get it changed)

[Charles (in GA)]

What brand panel is that? Square D QO has 3/4" wide breakers, so does Cutler-Hammer CH panels. Most all others, Square D Homeline, Siemens, Murray, C-H BR, GE, etc., use 1" wide breakers, makes a big difference, to know which this was set up for.

Looks like a Square D panel

Charles

[shopnut]

I gave all the details over in the other thread, but I have a GE Power Mark Gold Load Center with 1/2" high breakers.

This is a fully editable EXCEL file and if you have any experience with the software, it's very easy to change the specific label sizes to match your breakers.

[metaldad]

Very nice! The colors are a great idea.

[Charles (in GA)]

Unless that panel is pretty strange, you have the colors in the middle for the left and right bus's wrong. 1 (both A and B) and 2 (both A and B) should be the same color, they share the same stab (left, #1, or A bus), 3 and 4 share a stab (on the right, #2, or B bus), 5 and 6 share one on A, etc.

That would be a GE 20/40 panel. It has 20 full size breaker positions, and is allowed up to 40 circuits (by using half sized breakers).

Charles

[shopnut]

Originally Posted by Charles (in GA)

Unless that panel is pretty strange, you have the colors in the middle for the left and right bus's wrong. 1 (both A and B) and 2 (both A and B) should be the same color, they share the same stab (left, #1, or A bus), 3 and 4 share a stab (on the right, #2, or B bus), 5 and 6 share one on A, etc.

That would be a GE 20/40 panel. It has 20 full size breaker positions, and is allowed up to 40 circuits (by using half sized breakers).

Charles

Thanks for your additional input Charles.

No, the panel isn't strange, it's just me (although noting the name of the shop I work in may explain the zig-zag pattern I initially used )

I read you loud and clear, and hopefully this straightens it out:
Electrical-Breaker-Labels-Rev1.JPG

I found this detail of an example GE inner panel to better explain to the rest of you what Charles is saying. I tried to shade it with red and blue to match the colors on my label. This shows slots 1 through 8 only, for a smaller panel than mine.
GE-Main-Panel-Detail.JPG

If there are any other changes I should make, speak up now because I'm getting a new file ready for mpire to upload to his server.

The bottom line is this: Anyone using these labels should make them match the panel they have and if it is questionable, remove the colors in the middle so you or your electrician won't be confused by it later.

[AussieDan]

Here is a version for full-height breakers.

[shopnut]

Originally Posted by metaldad

Very nice! The colors are a great idea.

Thanks metaldad.

Originally Posted by AussieDan

Here is a version for full-height breakers.

I was hoping that someone would take this and run with it. I'm sure other forum members will benefit from your effort. Thanks.

[TWX]

Personally, I just used my label maker and stuck new labels on everything. I also went through the house, testing and labelling every switch and outlet with a breaker position. Almost all of my 120V breakers are double units, so there's a lot of "23-A" and "19-B" kind of labelling.

It took about four and a half hours to do the whole house, but I've had to work on the power several times when changing out regular outlets for GFCI, or installing automatic shutoff timer switches for bathroom vent fans, so it's been well worth it.

[shopnut]

Originally Posted by TWX

Personally, I just used my label maker and stuck new labels on everything. I also went through the house, testing and labelling every switch and outlet with a breaker position. Almost all of my 120V breakers are double units, so there's a lot of "23-A" and "19-B" kind of labelling.

It took about four and a half hours to do the whole house, but I've had to work on the power several times when changing out regular outlets for GFCI, or installing automatic shutoff timer switches for bathroom vent fans, so it's been well worth it.

Post up some pictures of your handywork TWX. You've been on this forum long enough to know everyone loves to scroll down through 300 pictures to get ideas, then pick the one that best suits them.

I often thought of spending the time to label the receptacles throughout the building like you did but my shop is zoned such that it really isn't necessary. East wall is one circuit, north wall is another, etc. It probably wouldn't hurt, however. I've also seen people do different color outlets to signify different circuits, which is pretty clever.

[Falcon67]

Thanks for that Excel pattern - will for sure use it!

Originally Posted by TWX

Personally, I just used my label maker and stuck new labels on everything. I also went through the house, testing and labelling every switch and outlet with a breaker position. Almost all of my 120V breakers are double units, so there's a lot of "23-A" and "19-B" kind of labelling.

It took about four and a half hours to do the whole house, but I've had to work on the power several times when changing out regular outlets for GFCI, or installing automatic shutoff timer switches for bathroom vent fans, so it's been well worth it.

Good work. I did a map when I rewired our old house, that really helped with rework later.

[LWaite]

Thanks I will use this for sure

[The_Tango]

Thanks but my Excel (Excel 2000) reports that it is a unrecognizable format. Went here:

http://www.microsoft.com/download/en...aylang=en&id=3

for converter

[shopnut]

Originally Posted by Falcon67

Thanks for that Excel pattern - will for sure use it!

Originally Posted by LWaite

Thanks I will use this for sure

You are welcome guys - just trying to give something back to GJ.

Originally Posted by The_Tango

Thanks but my Excel (Excel 2000) reports that it is a unrecognizable format. Went here:

http://www.microsoft.com/download/en...aylang=en&id=3

for converter

I might try saving my Excel 2007 file to an earlier version to see if anything is lost in the file. If not, it might make sense to just post up the earlier version for all to use. In the meantime, those of you that have the old version should use the converter that The_Tango kindly offered. Thanks TT.

[Charles (in GA)]

Originally Posted by shopnut

That is a very good way to show the bus setup where people can see what you mean. We had this issue a couple or three weeks ago in a discussion.

This panel has 4 stabs, thus, accommodates 8 standard 1" breakers. It also has the special clips welded to the sides of the stabs for the loose GE 1/2" breakers to clip onto, for a total of 16 circuits jammed into one tiny panel.

Always use the largest (physically) panel housing you can get, it makes it much easier running wires in the panel.

Charles

[shopnut]

Feel free to use that image in other future discussions on the forum if it helps, Charles.

I'm just glad that GE panel was able to accept the 1/2" breakers - I'm down to a mere 2 spares for future expansion! The good thing is, I'm nearly done wiring the shop now, so it should be fine. The panel is a model TLM2020CCU and it seems to be easy to work in, although I really only have been in a few others (I'm not an electrician by trade). I tend to be pretty "neat" with my wiring so that probably helps fit it all in there.

To be honest, I didn't even know this panel was designed to accomodate the 1" breakers as well. Now I know, thanks to this forum. I'm really not sure why anyone would use the bigger ones, however. Surely the 1/2" and 1" must both be acceptable for their rated amps. Do the bigger breakers just last longer or something?

[fergie_1977]

ShopNut, you just saved me a pile of work and searching for exactly what I had planned on creating! I have done a ton of re-wiring in my main 200AMP panel, installed a new 125AMP panel in my garage and a 60AMP ponypanel on the other end of my basement for a future small addition.
These labels just free'd up my Sunday for garage insulating!!
Thanks a ton!
Fergie

[Outlander]

Very cool.....thanks for the contribution! Don't need it ...yet...but will come in handy real soon.

[NUTTSGT]

Man, I was just thinking of doing something like this the other day. Well, not onthe computer but relabeling the box.

[twocoda]

Thanks for the electrical panel DL.....Cheers!