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Electrical Wiring

expectations of electricians -- rough electric

15 years ago

Is it common or uncommon for electricians who do a substantial amount of rough wiring to provide the homeowner with a list of what's on each circuit? We got a few major circuits listed in the new box (e.g., "furnace") but the rest of the information was not provided.

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Comments (10)

bigbird_1
15 years ago
The best you can probably expect is a very generalized description of what's on a circuit, as in furnace, DR, BR, sump pump, LR, etc. They won't break it down into lights or plugs unless those are on separate circuits. Every circuit should still be labelled. You can do it yourself using a couple of walkie talkies or a cell phone.
petey_racer
15 years ago
A label of what area the circuit serves: Yes.
A detailed LIST of what is on the circuit: Absolutely not.
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plants4
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks. I was in the middle of sorting all of this out for the old wiring so now I'll use the photographs I took before insulation to try to figure out the rest!
texasredhead
15 years ago
In new and updated service panels, we make a concerted effort to name as many circuits as possible. Examples would be dining room lights and receptacles, kitchen counter receptacles, ovens, etc. We turn on every thing in the house and then we talk on cell phones as I go through breakers while the other person tells me what is on the circuit so I can mark it.
pharkus
15 years ago
In addition to summary labels on the circuits on the panel end, I've also taken to labeling the devices whenever possible.
joed
15 years ago
It is required to label the panel on new wiring. This may not happen at the rough in stage however. It will likely be the last thing done.

NEC 2008
408.4 Every circuit or circuit modification shall be legibly identified as to its clear, evident, or specific purpose or use.
southhouse
15 years ago
expect evey circuit to be labeled to the extent that is allowed by the word or two that will fit on the panel cover in the approaite place. I label the wires when i install in the rough and then transfer the pice of insulation with the labeling to the hot wire in the panel and boxes as i rip out the job. so there may be labeling behind the dead front of the panel on the wires.
countryboymo
15 years ago
I used a dymo label maker so I could use legible print that could easily be read be it one word or five.
pjb999
15 years ago
I was just thinking how much nicer dymo labelling would be on my panel, the little lines are too narrow on the sticker but I guess a dymo strip is just the right width for a single breaker....great idea. I think neatness says a lot, if you saw a neatly dymo labelled panel, you'd be inclined to think (and probably be right) that the person who wired it had done a good, professional job.
shadetree_bob
15 years ago
We turned off one circuit at a time and went around and found all the outlets ,switches, etc. that were affected and placed a small inconspicuous dot of paint on them and a small dot on the panel next to the breaker. Breakers were labeled kitchen, front br. etc. now all we have to do is find the dot and look on the panel to instantly know what goes where.

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