ads wrote in :

On Mon, 01 Oct 2018 05:20:40 GMT, Puckdropper
wrote:

Changing out a wall switch, I have my sister helping me. She tells me
when I found the right breaker and I go up to change the switch. I
tell her "just because you've turned off power doesn't mean the box is
dead." I check the second switch with a non-contact voltage detector
(aka Death Stick) and see no light. But I turn on the second switch
anyway and the ceiling fan turns on!

Good teaching moments sometimes just show up.

Puckdropper

That's why I create a breaker "map" for any family/friend's house I'll
be working in more than once (most will ask more than once and I'm
willing to work for food ;-) Takes MUCH longer the first time, but
most of the outlets and switches will have the number of the
associated breaker written on them with an extra fine point Sharpy.
And I create a copy in Word for reference and printing - sized to fit
on the breaker box door.


That's a good idea. A "professional" electrician moved the breaker box
several years ago, installing a new one, and didn't label any of the
circuits. There's a paper above the box telling where the old circuits
went, and it's just enough to narrow things down.

I've found a Dymo-style label maker works really nicely. It's easy to
read, there's lots of room to type, and the 1/2" label fits nicely in the
space provided.

Puckdropper
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