Electrical circuit tracer

[lhfarm]

My son moved into a house (built in the 1990s) and most of the breakers aren't marked. I want to buy a circuit tracer and I see they run from $40 to hundreds of dollars. I'm hoping there is one in the $40 range that might work, since I don't see a long term need.

Anyone have have experience with these or recommendations?

Thanks,

 

[chopped]

I searched HD for mine and couldnt find it it was yellow in color and worked very well I think this one replaced it.
Klein Tools Digital Circuit Breaker Finder - ET300 at The Home Depot
Just be sure to double check that you find the right one also (breaker)

 

[forgeblast]

the electrican we use said his trick to to put something loud like a drill in an outlet that you can hear from the panel and flip switchs, he said if you have two people you can do a house fast

 

[captaincrab55]

the electrican we use said his trick to to put something loud like a drill in an outlet that you can hear from the panel and flip switches, he said if you have two people you can do a house fast

Use a long extension cord to keep the drill in a central location so both can hear it... Cell phones & 2 way radios help too.. Harbor Freight Tools sells a circuit tester that will do OK for what your doing...

 

[CurlyDave]

I have used the Harbor Freight Circuit Breaker finder and it was right every time.

I have used a drop light and a 100' extension cord to do the same thing and that works also. Keep the light at the panel and plug it in to the outlet under test.

Be aware, electricians sometimes put the lights in many rooms on one circuit, which is separate from the outlets in those rooms.

I always like to have no more than one room per breaker, sometimes even two breakers per room if it is a large living room, or an office/study with lots of electrical gadgets.

 

[hr3]

Before you go to all the bother have you taken the panel cover off yet,, Lot's of electricians leave a piece of wire jacket on the wire going to the breaker so it can be marked later... Sometimes they just forget to do it,,

 

[lhfarm]

Before you go to all the bother have you taken the panel cover off yet,, Lot's of electricians leave a piece of wire jacket on the wire going to the breaker so it can be marked later... Sometimes they just forget to do it,,

Haven't done that, but will. This is a big house (two story, full finished basement). With lots of computers running, I'd prefer not to start flipping switches, although I know we will have to do that for lights. One side of the panel door has "outlets" marked in the top slot and arrows down the the rest. The other side does have breakers marked.

Think I'll pick up one of the suggested testers. I'll report back when I get this done.

Thanks,

 

[Craig Clayton]

In the electrical code it states that evey circuit must be marked, in the house market that never happens. Industrial standards are heavily inforced,but there is still poor marking standards. For a house a radio is nice set to something LOUD. If you use a drill and it jumps and snags a carpet thread ( been there ) get the idea. Half a the loads are easy to figure out just from the panel all 2 pole breakers that are large current ratings ususally do stove dryer etc. 15 amp 2pole kitchen. That only leaves 15 amp single and arc rated for bedrooms.
Craig Clayton

 

[Egon]

Lot's of electricians leave a piece of wire jacket on the wire going to the breaker so it can be marked later...

There are commercially available numbering systems or tags for marking electrical wires.:thumbsup:

 

[kennyd]

I'd prefer not to start flipping switches, although I know we will have to do that for lights.

You can get a screw-in adapter so the test will plug into standard bulb socket, just make sure the switch is ON while testing.

They look like THIS, HD or Lowe's will have them.