Identify Circuit Breakers when Panel is Not Labeled

[@VRYSNKY88]

Good demonstration! The “open ground” is because your alligator clips were only connected to hot and neutral. If the plug adapter had 3 clips it would most likely show “wired correctly” but since the tracer is following the hot back to the breaker you don’t need an alligator clip on the ground 👍🏽⚡️

[@ApartmentMaintenancePro]

Makes sense. Thanks for the explanation 👍

[@scotto3826]

It's the same thing with the cheater adapters you used in the lamp. The screw in adapter doesn't have a ground on it so the tester will always show open ground.

[@chustlerm]

Yea I was thinking that too

[@Five0Music]

I own and use this set. The comments above on “open grounds” are exactly right. The clip-on and light socket testers have no ground throughput so they show open grounds on the tester. An open ground is possible on that circuit still, but these test pieces are designed to locate power only, so some additional snooping is necessary if you suspect a ground wire issue. Good presentation of the tool. It’s very useful, especially if you often work alone.

[@PeteVigil-j9x]

This guy is right to the point, concise , step by step. No other comments or stories …..just getting it done ! Excellent !

[@johngibbs7944]

I like your delivery. I like that you only talk about what is important.

[@patmx5]

My quick confirmation that the correct breaker has been shut off is to sniff it again with the receiver after turning it off - if the tone at the panel is gone, you’ve got it. Once you shut off the power to the transmitter, it stops chirping.

[@ashmcdan23]

And if it is wrong, keep switching, you will get it.

[@RadioRich100]

Just use a radio

[@MacDa-yy8xn]

As a residential electrician with 25 years in the trade, I can say this method of finding out what breaker services what circuit is not very accurate. A much better and cheaper way is to just use the plug tester and an extension cord. 100% accurate. You have to walk back to move the plug tester anyway. Start by turning off all the breakers. Choose a plug and insert the extension cord. Then go back and put the plug tester into the end of the cord. Turn on breakers on at a time until you see power. That will be your breaker you are looking for. If you really want to see what plugs and lights are on that circuit, you can test for more active plugs. Move the extension cord to another plug that has no power. Go back to the panel turn off the now identified breaker and repeat first step until you have marked all the breakers. Two pole breakers are easier to find the equipment they feed. Save yourself the cost of the expensive other tool, plus when you are done you know 100% exactly what breaker does what.

[@jungmen]

While that may work on a residential property where no one cares, trying this method in a place of business with 5 panels would not be practical at all. However, I do have this tool, and I would say it's about 60% accurate. Of which is not very good IMO.

[@johncollins7044]

Crazy. Residential homes all across America with panels not labeled. You would think building code would mandate 100% panel labels in all regions, counties, zones, in city limits, outside city limits, off grid crazies and any other location with at least one panel and one circuit breaker (😂). Sincerely, NFPA/NEC. Homeowners adding additional or upgrades to panels.....just label the dam thing!

[@brianrowland55]

@@jungmen This is my experience as well, it was not accurate. I resorted to the extension cord method to find out for sure.

[@brianrowland55]

This is my experience as well, it was not accurate. I resorted to the extension cord method to find out for sure.

[@Lughnerson]

@@johncollins7044 Right on brother.

[@kelm1123]

One of the first things i bought when i got my house three years ago, helped a ton!

[@ApartmentMaintenancePro]

Definitely a great tool!

[@bilmanderson2882]

The light attachment would be helpful for those ceiling lights when you don't know what breaker they are on.. Good Video

[@wannabetowasabe]

I had my wife take a plug in light bulb device to each outlet and we used a handi-talkie to communicate when the bulb shut off as I went down through the panel. She also turned on the overhead lights in that room. I took a labeler and printed up a numbered label for each outlet, switch box and device in the house. That way, years after going through this procedure I can tell which breaker I need to turn off when work has to be done. Once I've turned off that breaker I use a multi meter to make sure the power is off prior to touching the stripped end of a wire. Take nothing for granted! I placed these same labels on all the major appliances in the house, such as the washer and drier, refrigerator, etc. We had some internal wiring go bad in our microwave last year and it put out enough smoke to set off the nearest smoke alarm. Once I figured out where the smoke was coming from I glanced at the front of the appliance and ran out to the garage and flipped the breaker off. I've eliminated having to read the written description or key on the breaker box door and just shut off the breaker that needs to be shut off. When some people visit our house they sometimes joke about all the labels, but I don't care. It saves time.

[@Mike1614YT]

you're a brave man

[@knothead5]

I did the same thing when I bought the house in 1996. Breakers were labeled: plugs, lights, etc. Duh! I found that the overhead lights were on two breakers! I drew a sketch of each light and plug for upstairs and downstairs, put it in a clear sleeve and tacked to the inside of the door covering the panel box. My grandfather used to check for current: wet his fingers and hold the wire. He said he only got a slight tingle.

[@meseahunt]

ditto on the labeling 🤠

[@wannabetowasabe]

@@knothead5 Sounds like something a grandfather would do!

[@Chris-pj1os]

What is the product you use to make the labels? Will it print small?

[@tadmarshall2739]

Wow, this is exactly what I needed! Your video was clear and direct and will be a huge time saver, thank you!

[@donaldfennell971]

Good tool. Prior to this I would shut the main off, then use my Low Volt tester to find the individual breaker for the outlet in question. After fixing the bad outlet I would have to reset all the clocks in the house. I am a FIRE/BURG Tech so most of my tools are for Low Volt circuits. I still don't know which circuit powers my new home's smoke alarms, I'll probable tackle that when there is a problem! Good video.

[@Stephenwc]

I have all those tools and did not know how to use them. I will take a look again thanks to these tips.

[@STBRetired1]

Oooh, I bought one of those things years ago but my eyes glazed over trying to figure out the instructions. Now I've bought a treadmill and I've got two air conditioners running so I need to make sure they are all on separate circuits. Thanks for taking the time to make this video.

[@ourv9603]

I used to do gas station maintenance. I would regularly get sent out to stations which had been remodeled. For awhile every job like that I did I worked with this one electrician. Gas station breaker panels are the worst. They would be 40yo & the labels would be unreadable & wrong. The first thing this electrician would do would be to trace every breaker and make a list. Next morning, he would start his day at his shop where he would have the office type up a neat, precise breaker panel card. He would bring that card with him to the station and post it in the breaker panel. I loved that guy. He made my life easy for years to come. One day, I learned he had left his co and went off and started his own company. God I missed him. !

[@ApartmentMaintenancePro]

Labeled panels are the best (especially when they are neat)

[@chuck5386]

I did something similar to this to identify every outlet, switch, light, furnace, HVAC, etc. in my house. When I was done I also made a simple hand-drawn diagram of the house showing each & every electrical item's location along with the corresponding circuit breaker's fuse next to it for easy future reference.

[@vjrevankar346]

Thanks for the detailed video. Multiple trips around the house are needed anyway. Now I know not to but this product for simply mapping breakers to outlets and lighting.

[@MrThomasAnderson7892]

This video is worth 1 million bucks. It is very useful. Thank you! 👍

[@brianfoley4328]

Great video...I'm still going to hire a professional, licensed Electrician to do this, but this is a great information video and of course I have to buy this just in case I find an outlet I don't recognize the breaker. Thanks

[@thugfunny8028]

Love the videos man. Your videos have helped me quite a bit in my budding maintenance career. Appreciate ya bud.

[@ApartmentMaintenancePro]

Thank you 🙏

[@phaedrus2633]

I worked in telecommunications and we have used toners and locators for a long time. I was wondering when someone would finally invent one for electrical circuits. The toner for an electrical circuit must be a bit more sophisticated, since all of the neutrals and grounds are tied together at the service panel.

[@contractorvegas5384]

As a licensed contractor we have purchased more expensive circuit tracer pleasantly surprised with the performance of the Klein circuit tracer

[@thardyryll]

For sure a radio on an extension cord can be a good substitute for the gadget in the video, but my favorite noisemaker has always been a hand-held hair dryer. Corded radios are not as common as they once were, but every household inevitably has more than one dryer, and they make a fierce noise. Unlabeled, or poorly labeled , breakers are a major irritant, and for some reason too many electricians can neither spell nor print well. In my shop building I solved the problem by painting a large piece of plywood white and using a felt marker to make a grid with the breaker numbers. The board sits next to the panel. I pencil in the areas on each breaker. This might not be practical for a house, but it makes finding circuits a breeze.

[@Threedog1963]

Good idea. My breaker is in the garage and I keep a cheat sheet next to the box with all of the different outlets on the breakers. Trouble is, the paper ages after time and needs replacing. I'll try that.

[@itsumonihon]

Concise, Correct and Current: Nfpa electrical code manual on the couch, lol dude loves electricity. Nice video.

[@mrcoollu9662]

You came a long way congratulations to your new home 🏡 keep the videos coming also I honestly enjoy your teaching

[@ApartmentMaintenancePro]

Thanks buddy!

[@danielboone72]

I plug a radio into the outlet, when it goes off, you located the circuit.

[@ErnestoHaboobi]

This is very well done! Easy and informative.thanks

[@seanmemmen2801]

Thank you for the video. Now I know how this thing works.

[@diamond6256]

Gee wheeez. I took a day to identify plugs. I did this very thing except I used a lamp, turned off a circuit break and went around plugging it in. woman 68 in Texas. Go figure. LOVE THIS VIDEO.

[@STV-H4H]

A shop vac has served me well before I bought this type of devise. I can hear the vacuum cleaner anywhere in the house or garage at the beaker panel. But using this type of thing is a nice inexpensive tool. As for the 220 circuits, they are pretty simple to find. The dryer is on one (usually the 30amp) the oven has a 40 or 50 amp breaker. AC has its own circuit and will probably be the one that wasn’t the oven or dryer. A tandem or coupled 20amp. A very large house will have more stuff. But most any older house will be a 100Amp overall, with maybe 5-8 20amp breakers, the rest will be 15’s. 15s are probably lights. 20s outlets. (Kitchens, bathrooms etc)

[@zakhara]

Thank you for the video, Straight to the point and useful.

[@MrPhantomPC]

I noticed for your lightbulb demo you held it up or horizontal. That’s because it unplugs itself with its own weight when held upside down like you would use it in practically every lightbulb source... My solution to this was bend the connectors inwards but that still barely helps. Was curious if you were gonna mention this or not

[@wicked1172]

I was wondering why the breaker panel was located out of doors? I regard that as a security risk. Otherwise I found this video very informative and very helpful.

[@miketrissel5494]

Used a 70 DB Piezo Buzzer hooked to a plug for 40 years. Worked just fine

[@frontcentermusician]

WHAT DID YOU SAY??? LOL

[@jimross2101]

Plug in a radio, turn it up.

[@ashmcdan23]

Radios are cheaper, but you might be a boomer if you have a plug in radio still. The super tip for this tool is that it works the same as a radio as a plan B If you are on old wiring and can't get a clear read, shut off your most suspected breaker and see if it stops beeping, then keep switching until it stops.

[@argee55]

Radios are great one a single level structure. They aren’t as effective in 2 story residence with a basement. I know this from experience.

[@harrydoherty8299]

yes . turn off one breaker and see what’s not working . and so on.

[@benjamintimmins1656]

Hope you find those 2 mystery breakers! Good video. I got that same tool. Works great! None of our circuit breakers at my job are labeled...

[@ApartmentMaintenancePro]

Thanks Benjamin! The breaker tracer definitely comes in handy!

[@benjamintimmins1656]

Hey dave i rewatched this video and im thinking those missing breakers are just spares. I would take the panel off and see

[@cpoul]

@@benjamintimmins1656 was thinking same

[@har8397]

This video is absolutely great, so underrated. Thank you for posting. I do have a question. If anyone knows the answer in my basement I have what appears to be old covered monoxide for smoke detectors hard wire? Is it possible to remove the devices and replace them with battery operated ones and use the hardwiring to install new receptacle.?

[@darrelljanssen588]

Put the number 17 on the receptacle cover plate as well.

[@katherinejochman7058]

Put the number on the inside of the plate so you don't have to look at it every day.

[@jaydee3046]

I got an upgraded panel, and some singles were traded for minis that share a neutral. So they are tied together. I drives my tester nuts.

[@Threedog1963]

I asked a guy that does home repairs about those circuit detectors. He told me they aren't as accurate as you are showing. He's not an electrician though. Maybe he didn't have the learn mode going. What I do when I do find the correct circuit is I remove the wall plate and write the circuit breaker number on the back of the plate, as well as label the box.

[@davidcooke8005]

I just used a radio to map my house circuits. Plug it in. Turn it up. Go to garage. Flip breakers until you hear the radio stop. Lather, rinse, repeat.

[@vjrevankar346]

Or use 2 radios. One piano and one hard rock!

[@zrig1]

I added labelling as a condition to purchase after my inspection. I made the purchase conditional on a satisfactory inspection. Not sure if you can do that where you live.

[@my-yt-inputs2580]

I have a slightly older Klein model. I have found these things also do not work when plugging in to a GFCI outlet. So you have to use a different method for tracing the circuit.

[@andresrivillas5069]

Thank you for your video. Great job. 👏

[@Geonious]

Fantastic! Just what I was looking for! My breaker panel was not labelled accurately, and I want to trace each outlet. Do you have to do the learn cycle each time you plug the receiver in another outlet?

[@JasonSmith-qx3zh]

Thanks, Dave excellent info.

[@mannydawnramirez974]

Thanks I needed this information. I will invest in one.

[@Goodellsam]

I assume ceiling light procedure is the same as the smoke detector wiring?

[@tpep1693]

I have used those, not sure about this brand, but some were ok, others spot on, make sure you have a GOOD one that you can trust. Just saying.

[@richard2720]

Nicely done straight to the point. What to go DAVE

[@tbechtx]

This tool is awesome! 💯

[@dddhhh2612]

I have this tool. It works pretty good. But sometimes it can't find the affected breaker. Nevertheless, it's a huge timesaver. Saves hours, even if you just use it a few times.

[@dougharlow6037]

What’s the difference between the Klein ET310 and the RT250 testers, do you need both? Thanks

[@waynegram8907]

APARTMENT MAINTENANCE, Do you have a Kleins Circuit Analyzer to use the LOAD mode test on the outlets? try to make a video lesson about using the Circuit Analyzer Load test mode for the outlets

[@joshcarter-com]

Exactly the product I needed…20 years ago, unfortunately. I mapped out my house the hard way. ☹️

[@danburger1287]

When testing that possible smoke detector circuit at the ceiling, you said, “Look at this, another open ground.” Of course it’s an open ground. You are only connecting to a hot and neutral. No grounding is possible with that test procedure.

[@cpoul]

Great tool but for others who don't know obviously if there in no power going to the outlet it can't be traced.

[@johnindelicato4620]

How do you trace for a light switch? I want to update a bunch old light switches in my house, but not sure how to trace those back to the breaker. Looks like I might have to do what you did with the smoke alarm wires?

[@LeaveMasonAlone]

Whatever the switch turns on, you can test that, whether it's an outlet or a light fixture. Good luck!

[@cpoul]

Alligator clips on the wires.

[@JetFire9]

Turn on light, have a buddy stand next to it on a phone call with you, start flipping breakers. If you don't have anyone, do a video call with yourself using two devices, or plan to get some exercise.

[@ThisOldMan-ya472]

We live in a multiple renovated home that originally had rod & tube wiring. We just upgraded the service and panel, BUT the spaghetti wiring, including six cloth wound conductors were soldered together in a shallow octagonal ceiling outlet box. We also found one ceiling light that wasn't working, wasn't even wired in, and a wall duplex with a circuit running out one side to a switch that didn't seem to operate anything. (it was a closet porcelain with no bulb) It was a nightmare to label the new panel, plus we had a generator panel installed. This circuit finder IS NOT anymore useful than a light bulb. As well, much of the wiring had no ground but had 'grounded' duplex outlets. hmmmmmmmmmm

[@amityville1523]

What label printer did you use.

[@JasonSmith-qx3zh]

Hey AMPman I'm in a house with 2 prone outlets with no ground will this system work on that because it's showing everything switch solid red.Tedious is and understatement I had 27 switches and I had to go all the way down to 4⁉️

[@ApartmentMaintenancePro]

It should be able to trace it but lmk

[@youmarcocab074]

Thanks for your useful video..!

[@rexgoodheart3471]

Nice video. You look like Billy Bob Thornton to me. :)

[@ApartmentMaintenancePro]

Thanks, I’ve heard that Billy Bob looks like me too 😊

[@blogengeezer4507]

@@ApartmentMaintenancePro .Do not cross Wyatt Earp in 'Tombstone'. He will tell you to, "Skin that smoke wagon and get to work".. ;]

[@WL-mt4mv]

When I am alone, I just plug a radio into the outlet and turn it up as loud as it will go. Then I start flipping breakers and when I hit the right breaker the radio goes silent.

[@siavashsosiran5387]

Why does the Klein transmitter indicate correct wiring(2 orange lights are on) but the receptacle does not function?

[@ggibson511960]

The reason these gadgets don't work is bundled cables cross-talking the signal. The larger the house, the more cable runs and the bigger the bundle in long branch runs from the breaker panel.

[@ronin4711]

Read this before you buy it. Not as good as this guy is trying to describe. I bought the same Kline tester and when I tried to use it it gave me more than one breaker and sometimes even three circuits, it happened multiple times. In my frustration I called the company and I was told by Kline rep to disconnect all Surge Protectors in the house. Imagine that, I think I have one for almost every outlet, well, thanks a million Kline. I wish I knew that before I bought it.

[@YoPlasma-k6k]

you look like Tommy Lee Jones... great video!

[@DJSHADDY2K7]

#Dave. This video was very helpful thank for posting 😊.

[@Pontiacdreams]

Easier nowadays with cellphones- if you have two people and a plug in lamp

[@ApartmentMaintenancePro]

If you got the help then go for it 👍

[@muhammadmasoodmirza8290]

How electrical panel can be in open place?

[@bondpit8750]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge. How did you print such a clean label. On my panel they are all handwritten, very nicely done but after some remodeling and adding/changing circuits, I’d like to do a whole new updated label.

[@lindas.1751]

This is me, too! I have seen that the electrical switch companies and power panel box makers sometimes offer pads of their circuit label sheets, but homeowners only would need one of the sheets at a time, hopefully not REAL often either. And homeowners might need to remember to check the box after every electrician visit, or the panel labels do get really confusing. We have several circuits that don't seem to match the labelled device or outlet :-(

[@Yukonjackman1]

Nicely done , thanks

[@foxmulder2941]

I never knew such a tool existed. Just checked the links and guess what ? Not available in Canada .

[@chucknorrissbeard]

Very helpful, thanks!

[@YouTubeSwick]

Good job keep up the good work

[@aperson1181]

How do you actually label the breaker? What are you using?

[@fergferguson7370]

Good video jimmy

[@RadioRich100]

All you need is a lamp or a radio with the volume turned up.

[@mothertaracey2510]

thank you - great video

[@baronofgreymatter14]

That was really good ...thank you

[@MrModori]

Is it possible to go through this rationale with a mega-ohmmeter and a transmitter (but no receiver)? Clearly I would need a second set of eyes to watch the receiver (at any given receptacle) if I am at the fuse box with a mega-ohmmeter. What I have is one dead receptacle (no lights on the receiver), but a poorly labelled fuse box with no obviously tripped breaker switches on any of the fuses. Therefore, most likely one dead fuse yet to be discovered (and then replaced). Thanks in advance.

[@jakesully5402]

If you have a megger, it suggests to me u are comfortable with electricity. What about using a voltmeter to check hot-to-ground on your wires leaving the fuses ? 0 volts would indicate a blown fuse or bad breaker

[@dreamer541]

Great job thank you

[@Gumby1978]

Very helpful

[@lalehbryanskrenes5692]

Your "open ground" btw was because you did not have a jumper cable connecting the outlet box to the. your ground prong on your transmitter.

[@aunttriciaattic]

Thanks for this video.LOI I know what you mean when you said it is not supposed to be like that.

[@nitto420s]

The open ground reading on the transmitter from the light fixture has nothing to do with open ground. The alligator clips are on adapter that allows you to use the transmitter in a different application. Tip 1 when hooking up the alligator clips to a live connection do not plug in the transmitter until the alligator clips are already attached then it won't Spark. Tip 2 sometimes in places that have more than one electrical panel you will get what's called a corrupted neutral the Tracer will be telling you it's several Breakers that it's not the way to identify the circuit is to connect an alligator clip to the hot wire and the other alligator clip to the ground wire and then plug in the transmitter. Tip 3 you can do the same thing on 220 appliances like air conditioners or hot water heaters or things like that, clip one on hot one on ground. Also in newer homes that device typically doesn't work on a lot of arc fault breakers

[@ralfnjan]

Thanks BillyBob

[@patriotsleepercell4060]

should i get the digital circuit breaker finder or this?

[@kolschesky]

Why would anyone put their electrical service outside?

[@TurboLoveTrain]

...I did it with desk lamps... Turn all the breakers off but one and go around with the lamp to see what works... Rinse-repeat I don't like buying stuff I'm only going to use once.

[@warnee81]

only for 120v? can I use it for 220 or 240 v?

[@andresrivillas5069]

How much you think is good price to labeled 130 breakers in a shopping center??

[@pdlngsqrs9547]

I have tried such device, i found it difficult to pin point the exact circuit, as there are multiple breakers on the same bus! IMO discrete enough.

[@JackFlaps]

plug in a radio. when you turn off the correct breaker the music stops

[@ocloudx]

You have a radio and that use electric cord as power source at home!?

[@wayne00k]

Let me say that it is well worth hiring a niece or nephew - give them a walkie-talkie - and have them do the running from outlet to outlet - you'll be done in an hour in a big old home - otherwise this will take a regular Joe all day Saturday and he'll still ne sore on Monday from all those stairs climbed

[@arturoangelsanchez]

Sometimes, old hooks are double hooked

[@SurferBum1002]

Very helpful.

[@TheRusselmuscle]

Anyone's know if this will work on circuit breaker that are broken or no good? Or does there have to be power going through the circuit breakers/a good breaker?

[@patmx5]

It needs power to the receptacle - the transmitter runs on the line voltage.

[@job38four10]

Thats seem like a good gadget, but I be happy if I could find labels I can right on, and labels that will stay on...............

[@av2018]

Looks dangerous and hard. Since you don’t recommend working with live wires on the smoke detector, should we just turn all circuits off if we need to replace our wired smoke detector?

[@garbo8962]

Back in the 1980's my cheap rich fortune 500 company would not purchase even a single circuit tracer for the 6 electricians in a have million square foot plant/ offices. I made up my own circuit tracer. A 20 amp toggle switch & indictating lamp on a 1900box ( 4 by 4" square metal box ). Would I stall the p!it into a receptacle and kick the switch in to trip the circuit breaker. Worked great first couple if years until I tripped an office breaker. Know where the three circuit breaker panels were located for office receptacles. None were tripped so opened covers and checked that I had power all of the breakers. After a few hours asked the security guard if they had a hidden panel in thier two offices. To!d me they had some ou d if old metal cover behind a wall calender. Here they installed a 8 circuit panel for security but one feed the office circuit that I tripped.