How to Trace a Circuit Breaker

Tracing the circuits in your home is important to electrical safety.

Homes are wired for electricity through a set of circuit paths that are connected, in modern homes, to a circuit breaker. These circuit paths are a series of electrical access points, either a plug receptacle or a light switch or fixture, which are wired in sequence. Each path is controlled by one circuit breaker or switch, located in the home's fuse box. The breakers control the flow of electricity through the circuit path. When moving into a new home, it is advised that you make a map of the circuit paths and note it on the fuse box so power can be cut to make repairs or modifications, or to restore power if the breaker trips.

Things You'll Need

• Notebook or sketchpad
• Pen
• Assistant
• A small lamp or appliance
• Adhesive paper or label for the fuse panel door

Instructions

1. Draw a map of your home. Include the placement of all receptacles, light fixtures and appliances. The breaker switches are numbered; make a list of the numbers on your notepad so you can keep notes as to which receptacle is controlled by what number switch.

2. Turn off all breakers. Locate the double breakers (the switches are connected by a plastic harness.) These control power to large appliances. Turn them on one by one and determine which appliances they control. Write the names down by the numbers on your pad.

3. Have your assistant move into one of the rooms of the house and turn on a light and plug in a small lamp or appliance to one of the plug receptacles in the room. Turn the breakers on one by one until the light and lamp or appliance goes on. Note the location next to the breaker number on your pad. Have your assistant plug the lamp or appliance into all the receptacles in the room to make sure they are on the same circuit. Renovations and repairs can sometimes cause changes in the circuit.

4. Repeat step three until all the rooms in your house, with their receptacles or light fixtures, are noted in your pad. Write a general description for each breaker switch on the adhesive label and attach it to your fuse box door. Turn all your breakers back on, if you haven't already.

Tips & Warnings

• Always use an assistant when checking your fuse circuits. They prevent the need for you to run around the house yourself, checking each receptacle.

• Always use caution when dealing with electrical equipment.

References

• Don Vandervort's Home Tips: How to Map House Electrical Circuits