Electrical Panel Labels and How To Mark Them

It’s pretty common for labels on electrical boxes to be cryptic, especially with older ones. If that sounds like your house, it’s time to fix that.

“There are several reasons, but the first is safety,” says Docia Boylen, owner of Handyman Connection of Golden. “In an emergency situation where you need to get the power off to certain areas of the house, you will need to know which breaker to turn off.”

Having a properly labeled electrical box is also important for repairs that involve turning off the power to a certain area, like when you need to install a new appliance. It also saves time when you’re troubleshooting electrical issues and ensures that anyone who looks in the box knows exactly what switch goes to what outlet, reducing the chances of anyone getting shocked or electrocuted.

A well-labeled box is not just a good idea; it’s also the law. Here’s what else to know about electric box labeling.

Question: Does the electrical code require that electrical panel circuit breakers be labeled?

Answer:

Absolutely. There is no gray area here. Labeling a new electrical panel only takes a few minutes. Tracing circuits and labeling an existing panel is a task that is best done with two people and could take hours. A complete directory helps to ensure the safe operation of the electrical system, especially in an emergency. The code requires that every circuit and circuit modification be legibly identified as to its clear, evident and specific purpose or use. The identification must be included in a circuit directory that is located on the face or inside of the panel door. The circuit directory must be durable enough to withstand the environment in which it is located.

Each label identification must contain a degree of detail that distinguishes it from all other circuits. Even spare, unused circuit breakers must be identified. And don’t create personal labels such as “Mary’s Bedroom” that will have no meaning to the next family that owns the home.

Always check with your local electrical inspector about the specific code requirements in your area.

FAQ

How can I relabel an electrical panel if I don’t know for sure which switches are which?

Make a diagram of your home and methodically go from room by room, flipping one breaker at a time to see what stops working when each is shut off. It helps to have a friend for this, and you can use a small plug in device, like a nightlight to test the outlets, says Boylen.

It can also be helpful to have an outlet plug tester, which cost around $10, says Todd Tripp, a home improvement expert with JustAnswer. “When you get to the 220V double-pole circuits, like the range or the water heater, it’s a little bit more difficult to test,” he says. For those, you will need a multimeter, which costs about $25.

As you unravel the puzzle, clearly label which room, outlet or fixture corresponds to each breaker.

“Be thorough in this step,” says Daniel Vasilevski, director of Bright Force Electrical. “Many circuits share power between multiple rooms or only control specific outlets in a single space, so test everything, including hidden outlets, outdoor connections and large appliances.”

If you come across a breaker that does not seem to control anything, leave it off for now, says Vasilevski. “Sometimes, these breakers connect to disconnected circuits, outdoor equipment or areas you may not immediately notice.”

Once every breaker has been tested and documented, create clean, permanent labels for the panel. Use a marker or label tape to write detailed descriptions for what each breaker powers.

Should I use a code or shorthand when labeling a circuit breaker?

Tripp recommends against it, to avoid confusion when others look at the panel, like electricians and home inspectors. He recommends using labels like: kitchen, master bathroom, kitchen range, upstairs dryer, water heater, great room outlets and exterior outlets.

However, sometimes it is helpful to us shorthand to save space. If you do use it, make sure the codes are understandable, says Boylen. Create a legend of your shorthand so it can be read by others and use common abbreviations like: BR = Bedroom, LR = Living room, GFI = GFCI outlet, DW = dishwasher and WD = washer and dryer.

“Color coding is also a good way to shortcut your labeling,” she says. “You can highlight critical areas of your home with red labels, for example.”

About the Experts

Question Answered by John Williamson, Chief Electrical Inspector, Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry

• John Williamson has been in the electrical industry for 40 years and is a licensed master electrician and certified building official. John has worked for the state of Minnesota for over 23 years and is the Chief Electrical Inspector. For the past 25 years, John has also provided electrical code consultation to various book and magazine publishers.
• Docia Boylen is owner of Handyman Connection of Golden, Colorado, and was honored with several awards at the 2024 Handyman Connection Annual Conference.
• Todd Tripp is a general contractor and founder of Trip Mills Builders in upstate South Carolina, and a home improvement expert with JustAnswer.
• Daniel Vasilevski is director and owner of Bright Force Electrical and has worked as an electrician for more than a decade.

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