Sub panel cover question

[Junkman]

I picked up a used Square D 100 amp sub panel at a swap meet, and it came filled with breakers. Every slot had a breaker in it!. I have only used a couple of the slots, and was wondering if I could put breakers that I didn't use into the slots instead of buying the plastic caps that they sell to cover the hole when you remove a breaker. The breakers would just be occupying space, and turned off. I did find push in caps to fill the 1/2" knock out holes that were left when the wires were removed.
Thanks Junk..

 

[p_mori7]

I think it's OK, but I would also place strip of red tape over each breaker that was connected to a circuit.

 

[CoopVA]

You can have all the "spare" breakers you want in there...

 

[larry4406]

I think Post #3 is it. Fill out your panel schedule and label all as spares.

 

[C96]

Post 3 & 4 = Correct ….No need for the red tape

 

[Norcal]

I think Post #3 is it. Fill out your panel schedule and label all as spares.

KISS = Keep It Simple Sir, and doing as above is all you need, fill out the circuit directory in pencil so it can be updated or do w/ the 'puter.

 

[2ManyProjects]

I think Post #3 is it. Fill out your panel schedule and label all as spares.

KISS = Keep It Simple Sir, and doing as above is all you need,

This much, I agree with.

fill out the circuit directory in pencil so it can be updated or do w/ the 'puter.

PLEASE not pencil!!! I've never seen your handwriting; but I'm willing to wager that it isn't anywhere near as good as you might think it is. And after it's had 10+ years to fade & degrade, those penciled-in chicken scratchings will cause SOMEONE to tear their hair out trying to figure out what you wrote. Dymo or P-Touch machines are cheap and easy to use, even in the field. Better yet, whip up a simple one-page "cheat sheet" using your favorite word processor (obligatory plug here for LibreOffice Writer http://www.libreoffice.org/features/writer/), which will usually give you enough room to individually list EVERY load on each branch circuit, eliminating all possible future confusion.

 

[CoopVA]

To mark the breakers in my panel, I just used a Brothers label maker...

 

[Norcal]

This much, I agree with.



PLEASE not pencil!!! I've never seen your handwriting; but I'm willing to wager that it isn't anywhere near as good as you might think it is. And after it's had 10+ years to fade & degrade, those penciled-in chicken scratchings will cause SOMEONE to tear their hair out trying to figure out what you wrote. Dymo or P-Touch machines are cheap and easy to use, even in the field. Better yet, whip up a simple one-page "cheat sheet" using your favorite word processor (obligatory plug here for LibreOffice Writer http://www.libreoffice.org/features/writer/), which will usually give you enough room to individually list EVERY load on each branch circuit, eliminating all possible future confusion.

And using a pen is better??? At least the directory can be updated easily when written in pencil, it's quite difficult update them when written in pen, but I do prefer a computer generated directory or a P-Touch or other label but if a handwritten directory is there, I prefer something that can be updated.

 

[2ManyProjects]

And using a pen is better???

Only by the microscopically thinnest of margins, as it is at least somewhat less subject to fading, smudging, and generally being obliterated over time.

At least the directory can be updated easily when written in pencil, it's quite difficult update them when written in pen,

Overlay the old obsolete label with a new adhesive one -- preferably machine-made.

but I do prefer a computer generated directory or a P-Touch or other label but if a handwritten directory is there, I prefer something that can be updated.

Best "update" I can imagine: "See separate schedule." Then tape the cheat sheet to the inside of the panel door, if there is no better place nearby to mount it.