The Hunt: How to Find and Prep Your Electrical Panel
by
BrightNest
Bad idea: Searching for your electrical panel after the power goes out. Even with a flashlight in hand, you’re asking for a headache and possibly a tumble.
Good idea: Find your electrical panel now, when the lights are all on. That way when the power goes out, you’re ready to be the hero.
Here’s all you need to know about playing hide and seek with your home’s electrical panel:Part I: The Hunt
Grab your best Sherlock Holmes hat and start walking from room-to-room in your house. Most electrical panels are off the beaten path (away from the rooms that see the most traffic), but still in an easy-to-access area (so you can skip the crawl space). Check utility closets, the basement, laundry room and garage. You’re looking for a gray metal box affixed to a wall. Note: It could be painted a different color to blend in with wall.
If you can’t find anything in the house – and you’ve looked really carefully – take the search outside. Depending on your climate and the age of your home (usually newer homes), it’s possible that the box is on the exterior of the house.
If the box is nowhere to be found, it’s time to call your electric company. They should have records of the location of your electrical panel, and can tell you over the phone.
Curveball: Some older homes can have more than one electrical panel. If this is the case in your home, do a thorough test so you know which box controls which area of the house.
For Part II and III, visit: http://bit.ly/19nDbHl
Good idea: Find your electrical panel now, when the lights are all on. That way when the power goes out, you’re ready to be the hero.
Here’s all you need to know about playing hide and seek with your home’s electrical panel:Part I: The Hunt
Grab your best Sherlock Holmes hat and start walking from room-to-room in your house. Most electrical panels are off the beaten path (away from the rooms that see the most traffic), but still in an easy-to-access area (so you can skip the crawl space). Check utility closets, the basement, laundry room and garage. You’re looking for a gray metal box affixed to a wall. Note: It could be painted a different color to blend in with wall.
If you can’t find anything in the house – and you’ve looked really carefully – take the search outside. Depending on your climate and the age of your home (usually newer homes), it’s possible that the box is on the exterior of the house.
If the box is nowhere to be found, it’s time to call your electric company. They should have records of the location of your electrical panel, and can tell you over the phone.
Curveball: Some older homes can have more than one electrical panel. If this is the case in your home, do a thorough test so you know which box controls which area of the house.
For Part II and III, visit: http://bit.ly/19nDbHl
Want more details about this and other DIY projects? Check out my blog post!
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