sz0k30
Well-known member
Many years ago this is exactly what I did. It took a few hours. Probably not much longer than you writing this post.
Circuit breaker finder recommendation?
- Thread starter stickshift
- Start date
Many years ago this is exactly what I did. It took a few hours. Probably not much longer than you writing this post.
Atlascycle
Well-known member
sparky 1971
Well-known member
I have an Ideal that works decent with modern panels. Doesn't work very well with the old stuff that should be thrown out like Federal Pacific and Zinsco. The easiest thing to do with one house is to just shut off a breaker and go see what doesn't work and write it down. It goes much faster with two people.
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GreyOwl
Well-known member
I also have this one and it works great as long as I remove the battery between uses. It keeps getting turned on in my tool bag and runs the battery down.
In the garage I put the label on the outside of the plate because who cares about looks in houses I put it on the inside of cover plates
If you are doing this as a one time thing for a pizza and a lamp you can have a buddy come over and help you a lot cheaper and probably faster.
andyvh1959
Well-known member
I am using a Klein Tools ET300 Digital Circuit Breaker Finder for witring updates in my 1973 tri-level kitchen remodel, and so far I confirmed four different breakers control all the outlets in the kitchen (secondary breaker panel in the basement). So I should know which breaker to flip to safely work on installing GFI outlets (per circuit) to meet current code, plus to install white new outlets versus the dark brown 50 year old outlets. But I will still confirm with my VOM at each outlet before I put tool or hand to the work. Using the ET300 per instructions has so far identified each breaker specifically, even when a breaker is next to a breaker I just confirmed for another outlet. I have to do the same now for the six wall switches in the kitchen area.
The basement breaker panel is a Cutler Hammer dating back to 1973, and the 200amp primary panel in the attached garage is also 70s vintage Cutler Hammer. I revised all the messy, unlabeled, pooly wired (loose connections, missing neutral connection, shared ground/neutral busbar) in the primary panel back in 2020 when I powered the sub-panel in my new shop garage. The Green Bay electrical inspector was complimentary when I showed him my primary panel updates when he inspected my shop garage sub-panel/wiring. So even though I've not opened it up the secondary basement panel, I assume it is wired with shared ground/neutral bus-bar. I might update that panel to separate ground and neutral bus-bars before I eventually sell the house.
Also, 2024 electrical code wise. I found on the net that any outlet in a kitchen has to be GFI protected, either directly with a GFI outlet or other outlets on a circuit powered by the first GFI in that circuit. My 1973 house had no GFI outlets in the kitchen. Two weeks past I installed one GFI below the sink that had powered the garbage disposal. I do have an outlet in a cabinet over the microwave mounted above the stove, but I can GFI protect that one as it in line from an outlet to the right of the stove for that countertop area.
The basement breaker panel is a Cutler Hammer dating back to 1973, and the 200amp primary panel in the attached garage is also 70s vintage Cutler Hammer. I revised all the messy, unlabeled, pooly wired (loose connections, missing neutral connection, shared ground/neutral busbar) in the primary panel back in 2020 when I powered the sub-panel in my new shop garage. The Green Bay electrical inspector was complimentary when I showed him my primary panel updates when he inspected my shop garage sub-panel/wiring. So even though I've not opened it up the secondary basement panel, I assume it is wired with shared ground/neutral bus-bar. I might update that panel to separate ground and neutral bus-bars before I eventually sell the house.
Also, 2024 electrical code wise. I found on the net that any outlet in a kitchen has to be GFI protected, either directly with a GFI outlet or other outlets on a circuit powered by the first GFI in that circuit. My 1973 house had no GFI outlets in the kitchen. Two weeks past I installed one GFI below the sink that had powered the garbage disposal. I do have an outlet in a cabinet over the microwave mounted above the stove, but I can GFI protect that one as it in line from an outlet to the right of the stove for that countertop area.
bwringer
Well-known member
This resurrected thread is a reminder I need to do this for my house.
I've actually had success using the cheapo from HF, but I need to just take a few hours some afternoon, make a diagram of the house, and use the lamp/wife/scream method to map out the breakers and circuits.
From the evidence, the place was wired by a crew of crack-crazed baboons in a hurry on a Friday afternoon with supplies running short, so every wire is banjo-string taut and some of the weirdest, wildest, most random stuff is on the same breaker.
I've actually had success using the cheapo from HF, but I need to just take a few hours some afternoon, make a diagram of the house, and use the lamp/wife/scream method to map out the breakers and circuits.
From the evidence, the place was wired by a crew of crack-crazed baboons in a hurry on a Friday afternoon with supplies running short, so every wire is banjo-string taut and some of the weirdest, wildest, most random stuff is on the same breaker.
Worsedog
Well-known member
Hope that switch is covered under warranty
andyvh1959
Well-known member
I like the idea of creating a map of the house wiring, may be a good mid-winter project when its cold and blowing outside. As it is now, when I have located a circuit and confirmed it back to the main or sub panel, I use a Sharpie and write that circuit number on the plaster behind the cover plate and also inside the cover plate. A detailed circuit list or map taped inside the breaker panel door would be a handy reference. Sometimes I have used a ultra-fine tip Sharpie to write a very small number right on the outlet or switch. Though the missus takes issue with the writings on the fixtures.
Hauser day goofball
Member
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- Oct 31, 2023
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- 6
I miss a klein. Son to took it to use in his apprenticeship
SlappyWhite
Well-known member
It is GJ so of course we need to buy a special tool...
But like others pointed out just use a loud radio and flip the breakers off and on. Option two, turn off one breaker at a time and go around the house plugging in a light. Both work well and a large house can be done in an hour or two, odds are no money needs to be spent on a tool as most people have radios and lights... It gets quicker as you go as there are less spots to check. You can always do a combination, radio to get to the area, light after that to map out area outlets.
Stick postits with labels (or masking tape) on the outlets are you go to make sure you do not miss any or go to the same one multiple times...
Just watch out for switched outlets.
But like others pointed out just use a loud radio and flip the breakers off and on. Option two, turn off one breaker at a time and go around the house plugging in a light. Both work well and a large house can be done in an hour or two, odds are no money needs to be spent on a tool as most people have radios and lights... It gets quicker as you go as there are less spots to check. You can always do a combination, radio to get to the area, light after that to map out area outlets.
Stick postits with labels (or masking tape) on the outlets are you go to make sure you do not miss any or go to the same one multiple times...
Just watch out for switched outlets.
HF one works well in my experience.
Only downside is the power button on the receiver has to be the worlds easiest thing to accidently turn on.
Only downside is the power button on the receiver has to be the worlds easiest thing to accidently turn on.
Whelp, you're getting banned....