How To Inspect Your Main Electric Box and Sub-Panels

Inspecting and labeling your main electric box and sub-panels is crucial. It can be very important for everyone in a household to know where the electrical box is located. Labeling everything adequately is necessary for quick access during cases of emergency.

This is a Safety Task!

Many things can go wrong with electric circuitry, such as electrical shorts and fire hazards, which can present potential dangers. Label all circuits correctly. It is imperative to have quick access to the circuit shut-off in the event of an emergency.

This is a Preventative Maintenance Task!

Improper maintenance could result in a safety issue, or even worse, a fire could happen from a faulty electrical connection or panel box. This is why it is important to inspect and label your main electric box and sub-panels.

HomeManager classifies this as an Insurance task!

Tasks can be done by: Homeowner, electrician, home inspector or handyman

Task Steps

Step 1 – Inspect the electrical box

First, check to see if your electrical panel box is appropriately labeled. You may not need to do the entirety of this Task if your electrical panel box is already correctly labeled. Handwritten labels in pencil or pen can disappear over time.
Now is an excellent time to take your “before photo” for the Task.
If you notice that it’s not labeled correctly, see if it’s possible to have someone help assist you with identifying the correct circuits.
This Task may be more tedious if you’re working alone because you will be running back and forth between breakers and outlets to see what is on and what is off.
- Tool List: Flashlight

Step 2 – Label the electrical panel box

If you have someone helping you, have them stand in a room and turn on all the lights & items that are plugged in. Once everything in that room is turned on, you can turn off the breaker and see what turns off. Then, you can then label the breaker and identify which lights react to the specific circuit breaker you are using.
Now is a good time to take your “during photo” for the Task.
If you’re working alone, you can use a phone charger (or something that you can easily carry from plug to plug) to test if the outlet works.
Lastly, when everything is working on that circuit, make sure it is properly identified in the panel box. HomeManager provides preprinted sticker sheets to premium members or you can go to the document file and download a sheet that you can use to label the circuits.
Now is a good time to take your “after photo” for the Task.
- Supply List & Costs: (paper, pen, tape) or (label maker) or (HM sticker sheet)