Does anyone want a FREE template for CIRCUIT BREAKER LABELS?

shopnut · Sep 22, 2011

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):

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) · Sep 22, 2011

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 · Sep 22, 2011

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 · Sep 22, 2011

Very nice! The colors are a great idea.

Charles (in GA) · Sep 22, 2011

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 · Sep 23, 2011

Charles (in GA) said:
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 :willy_nil

)

I read you loud and clear, and hopefully this straightens it out:

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.

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 · Sep 23, 2011

Here is a version for full-height breakers.

shopnut · Sep 23, 2011

metaldad said:
Very nice! The colors are a great idea.

Thanks metaldad.

AussieDan said:
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 · Sep 23, 2011

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 · Sep 23, 2011

TWX said:
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 · Sep 23, 2011

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

TWX said:
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 · Sep 23, 2011

Thanks I will use this for sure

The_Tango · Sep 23, 2011

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

http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?displaylang=en&id=3

for converter

shopnut · Sep 23, 2011

Falcon67 said:
Thanks for that Excel pattern - will for sure use it!

LWaite said:
Thanks I will use this for sure

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

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

http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?displaylang=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) · Sep 23, 2011

shopnut said:

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 · Sep 23, 2011

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? :headscrat

fergie_1977 · Sep 25, 2011

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 · Sep 25, 2011

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

NUTTSGT · Sep 25, 2011

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

twocoda · Dec 2, 2011

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

GMAN62465 · May 16, 2013

Hey there guys!!

new to the forum and just searching around and I cannot seem to download the template that was posted up by ShopNut.

I have just installed a SquareD Homeline 200 Amp panel and would love to make it look pretty.

Thanks in advance!

GMAN

Garageguy65 · May 17, 2013

Shopnut & Aussue dan.. Thanks for posting the panel template! That is awsome.. Will come in handy..

Gman.. Look at post #7 in this thread.. There is a link where you can download the template in a excell file and edit for your needs..

AussieDan · May 18, 2013

I'd forgotten about this, will need to get off my **** and print up some labels for the new house now!

redlinetoys · Jun 10, 2013

Nice. Thank you.

rxbert · Aug 6, 2013

Hey there, fellow Garage Journalers! I also want to add my thanks to Shopnut and AussieDan for the label spreadsheet so I might clean up my fusebox at home. I also plan to use it in a rent house that we have that just came open and we are going to put up for sale. I think having it's fusebox nicely labeled will help with the way the house presents itself. (if a house presenting itself seems a bit discombobulated, sorry).

matt151617 · Aug 6, 2013

Another option is to print out individual labels on address labels. They're self-adhesive, and easily removed or overlapped when circuits change.

air cooled · Nov 24, 2015

I realize this is an old thread, but there is also a free template available for google docs.

https://docs.google.com/previewtemplate?id=0AiwY9GVhmpWsdFBRejBZdGVnTm5Xd0lOcVN4aloxNlE&mode=public

Al Adams · Jan 4, 2016

Recently while watching This Old House, Scott Caron was Talking to Kevin O'Conner about “Safe” Electrical Testers and Circuit Breaker Finders, He Showed a Simple Electric Outlet Correct Wiring Checker, I Use a Extech CB10 for Lite Home Owner Use, This Unit has Many Advantages, It Doubles as a CFCI (Outlet) Tester, and Simple Electric Outlet Correct Wiring Checker, as Well as a Circuit Breaker Finder/Locator Transmitter for USE with the Receiver, the Larger Part of the Extech CB10, for a Particular Outlet, or Lamp Circuit with the Use of a Lamp Base Screw in Outlet/Socket for Wired Ceiling Lamps etc. See Pictures …

XZFgqGYlaeUIVZ6EYCYHraXwZvUXOtEqHfGBnwBCdoy

,

https://www.amazon.com/clouddrive/s...Jo7iINEEV17?v=grid&ref_=cd_ph_share_link_copy

Al Adams · Jan 4, 2016

Still Didn't See Both Pictures ...

https://www.amazon.com/clouddrive/s...EtZjjNIOi3m?v=grid&ref_=cd_ph_share_link_copy

cassianohc · Mar 6, 2017

Hello to everyone, I am new in this forum and happy to join. After to look for QO labels in Schneider-Electric sites, I found this and I appreciate you have shared it. I am working in a little project with a 30 poles load center and it will be very useful for me. I hope to share something later. Thank you very much and best regards.

James-W · Mar 6, 2017

cassianohc said:
Hello to everyone, I am new in this forum and happy to join. After to look for QO labels in Schneider-Electric sites, I found this and I appreciate you have shared it. I am working in a little project with a 30 poles load center and it will be very useful for me. I hope to share something later. Thank you very much and best regards.

Welcome to the forum. When you a minute, put your location under your login name because it helps when you ask questions.

vettex2 · Mar 6, 2017

Nice.
I was just going to use a label maker.

sheslostcontrol · Jan 13, 2018

I like the colors in the OP's doc (http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1764863&postcount=7), but am confused why the amperage cells do not have standard coloring. Some 15a are red, other 15a are blue.

I may update this a little and share back.

davetulk · Jan 13, 2018

The red and blue highlighting the amperage are illustrating which leg is providing the power to that slot. Line 1 or Line 2. not meant to correspond to level of amps

nkachur · Jan 17, 2018

Shopnut, I don't know if you saw my adaptation. I took the excel file to a local engraving shop and had the engrave it on plastic. Was tired of paper that didn't want to stay stuck with spay adhesive. The panels are now screwed in place.

Sent from my SM-G903W using Tapatalk

Does anyone want a FREE template for CIRCUIT BREAKER LABELS?

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Attachments

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Active member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Active member

Well-known member

Super Moderator

Well-known member

New member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Member

Well-known member

Well-known member

New member

New member

New member

Well-known member

Banned

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Attachments