numbers for panel wiring

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jute

jute

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Hi, I just bought a Rhino Pro 5000 heat shrink/labeler as a prefered recommondation of a post on this forum..It looks like a good one and I'm getting ready to label the wiring in a residential panel. I was trying to come up with the best way to label these wires... Most are #14 AWG and #12 AWG. I went with a 3/8" heat shrink and thinking this is going to be pretty small by the time it gets shrunk down...I'm hoping I don't need a smaller size so it doesnt have to shrink as much and hopefully easy to read(or atleast readable) I want a short number to try and save on the tubing, what are some of the configurations some of you are using such as >> wire #/space #/breaker#/breaker size 20A /phase/single pole-dbl pole-tandem???I'm trying to come up with some sort of standard or default without making a 2" label...Thanks, JB
 
jute said:
I was trying to come up with the best way to label these wires...

I want a short number to try and save on the tubing, what are some of the configurations some of you are using such as >> wire #/space #/breaker#/breaker size 20A /phase/single pole-dbl pole-tandem???

I'm trying to come up with some sort of standard or default without making a 2" label...Thanks, JB
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If you're looking to label the breaker conductors, here's what a lot of us do:

afterpanel.jpg

The NM sheath pieces were originally written on the unstripped home runs and were slid over the black (and white for 2p, GFCI, AFCI, etc.) wires when stripping and terminating them.
 
I just have to ask.

Why in the heck would you bother doing this other then it looks kinda neat?

You do have a panel schedule on the door right?
 
iwire said:
I just have to ask.

Why in the heck would you bother doing this other then it looks kinda neat?

You do have a panel schedule on the door right?
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You need to fill out the panel schedule somehow, don't you?

Plus, it's a lot easier looking at the labels (with the cover off) than counting the breaker number, then picking up the door.....
 
480sparky said:
You need to fill out the panel schedule somehow, don't you?
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Yes?

Back when I did condos I would usually mark them as I fired them off and verified all the outlets.

Plus, it's a lot easier looking at the labels (with the cover off) than counting the breaker number, then picking up the door.....
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I spend my life in 42 circuit panels, I don't find it that hard finding a circuit number. :smile:

To each their own I just don't get this one. :)
 
480sparky said:
You mean you turn a breaker on, then go hunting for what works?
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Do you not actually verify each outlets correct wiring?

The 2 or 3 20s, 2P 30 and 50s where all self explanatory.

City condos.....how big do you think they where? :)

I would gladly do that over verifying a 100 or so plug circuits for the as builts.
 
iwire said:
Do you not actually verify each outlets correct wiring?

The 2 or 3 20s, 2P 30 and 50s where all self explanatory.

City condos.....how big do you think they where? :)

I would gladly do that over verifying a 100 or so plug circuits for the as builts.
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Yes, I check each receptacle. But only after every circuit is on, not as I turn on each circuit. Most of my panels have 30-40 breakers in 'em. Even deducting the obvious 10/2 water heater & AC, 10/3 dryer and 8/3 range as well as the AFCI'd circuits, that's still too many trips between the basement or garage and the house.

Take Larry's photo above. 7 trips to find 7 20a circuits, and 14 trips to find 14 15amp circuits. 21 trips too many. And there's no AFCIs to identify the bedrooms.
 
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iwire said:
I just have to ask.

Why in the heck would you bother doing this other then it looks kinda neat?

You do have a panel schedule on the door right?
Click to expand...

I don't get it either, but whatever, I just write it on the panel legend right after I tie it onto the breaker...
 
480sparky said:
Yes, I check each receptacle. But only after every circuit is on, not as I turn on each circuit. Most of my panels have 30-40 breakers in 'em. Even deducting the obvious 10/2 water heater & AC, 10/3 dryer and 8/3 range as well as the AFCI'd circuits, that's still too many trips between the basement or garage and the house.

Take Larry's photo above. 7 trips to find 7 20a circuits, and 14 trips to find 14 15amp circuits. 21 trips too many. And there's no AFCIs to identify the bedrooms.
Click to expand...

So how do you know your panel is marked correctly?
 
stickboy1375 said:
I don't get it either, but whatever, I just write it on the panel legend right after I tie it onto the breaker...
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Me three.

I can't even imagine putting heat shrink labels on the wire. I even find the small piece of romex jacket for a label to be somewhat tedious, so I just use the loud radio trick.
 
peter d said:
Me three.

I can't even imagine putting heat shrink labels on the wire. I even find the small piece of romex jacket for a label to be somewhat tedious, so I just use the loud radio trick.
Click to expand...

But you still gotta make a trip to move the radio to another circuit...
 
Not much on the color either!

Not much on the color either!

480sparky said:
....
Take Larry's photo above. 7 trips to find 7 20a circuits, and 14 trips to find 14 15amp circuits. 21 trips too many. And there's no AFCIs to identify the bedrooms.
Click to expand...

You must have the jumbo tron cause nothing is readable here...
 
iwire said:
Why in the heck would you bother doing this other then it looks kinda neat?
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Isn't that good enough? :grin:

480sparky said:
And there's no AFCIs to identify the bedrooms.
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That's because they're in the sub-panels at the other end of the basement.


Everyone else answered the rest of the questions for me.
 
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