OK...  firemarshal hammered me in a building I do work in... along with a long list ,  I need to idemtify each circuit on the panal boxes and clearly log them on each panel directory

2 buildings, 15000 and 10000 sq feet..  upwards of 7 different 200 amp panels...

it used to be a grocery store..  I dont think 20 percent is even being used..

what am I supposed to do...  have a guy with a walkie talkie walk around while I flip on and off breakers ?  

is renting a signal chaser feasable here?

Thanks,

Realist

Thats kinda big but if your desperate.....continuity (spelling???) tester and a whole lotta extra wire

THis is so easy it's not fair.
Go to any electrical supply house and ask for a circuit tracer. I use this:
http://www.idealindustries.com/prodDetail.do?prodId=61-534&div=1&l1=electrical_testers&l2=circuit_identifier_digital

And yes it works like a f###ing charm! Plug the transmitter into the outlet, go back and scan the panel, and presto! you can ID every breaker in the panel.

I have had the same problem with inspectors on temp distribution setups, so I bought the above tool.

You can use a tone tracer, but if any wires are "shared" you'll be chasing errant signals all over the place.

Either have a buddy, an afternoon, and a pair of FRS radios, or buy a bunch of the single bulb receptacles and a big sack of dollar store 40w light bulbs.



Yopu wouldn't believe how f*ckin' difficult it was to find a picture of that sumbitch.

According to Leviton Products, that's a " 61-I 15 Amp, 660 Watt, 125 Volt, Medium base Outlet-to-Lampholder. Ivory "

Another trick is a tester that plugs into the outlet, and you trace the controlling breaker by using the receiver at the panel.

www.valuetesters.com/Ideal-Industry-61-532-Analog-Circuit-Breaker-Finder-Tracer.php

And if you're not sure exactly which breaker controls what outlet, and there's no hazard to cutting the power? The signal will stop when you "kill" the right one.

Thanks for the reply's guys..   The circuit breaker finder sounds like a great idea

But it wont work for equipment, lighting etc..  Thats why I was thinking about a
signal chaser...  

Too bad there isnt a dea you can just touch to the wires of the lights or equipment that can be then read at the breaker !  

Quoted: Thanks for the reply's guys..   The circuit breaker finder sounds like a great idea But it wont work for equipment, lighting etc..  Thats why I was thinking about a signal chaser...   Too bad there isnt a dea you can just touch to the wires of the lights or equipment that can be then read at the breaker !

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Just make sure all of your lights are running on 110/120VAC. Many older commercial places run lights at 277. It'll fry a tester faster than Justin Wilson can fry an oyster.

Quoted: Quoted: Thanks for the reply's guys..   The circuit breaker finder sounds like a great idea But it wont work for equipment, lighting etc..  Thats why I was thinking about a signal chaser...   Too bad there isnt a dea you can just touch to the wires of the lights or equipment that can be then read at the breaker !   www.kelvin.com/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/340036.JPG + www.designnotes.com/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/CM6X.JPG + images.orgill.com/200x200/6169338.jpg + www.valuetesters.com/images/QVTIMG20060726104446817.jpg =

NICE !  

Just make sure all of your lights are running on 110/120VAC. Many older commercial places run lights at 277. It'll fry a tester faster than Justin Wilson can fry an oyster.

+1 Gahh-rohn-tee !  

Shut every thing off

get one of those voltage sensing hand held lights
 
get walkie talkies

turn on each breaker until your helper says something like " I got voltage"

mark breaker.

repeat until all circuits are marked.

go home.  

Quoted: Shut every thing off get one of those voltage sensing hand held lights   get walkie talkies turn on each breaker until your helper says something like " I got voltage" mark breaker. repeat until all circuits are marked. go home.

Oh, sure... go ahead and throw logic (and a helper) into the equation why don't you.

All my Google-fu for nothing...  NOTHING!

Quoted: Quoted: Shut every thing off get one of those voltage sensing hand held lights   get walkie talkies turn on each breaker until your helper says something like " I got voltage" mark breaker. repeat until all circuits are marked. go home.   Oh, sure... go ahead and throw logic (and a helper) into the equation why don't you. All my Google-fu for nothing...  NOTHING!

Well, My day is not complete until I fuck somebody over

Quoted: Well, My day is not complete until I fuck somebody over

What... are you a BA for the local or sumfin?

I've got one of those circuit tracrers (older version, but it still works)

works great. stick it in the outlet you want to work on, go find the CB .  simple one man operation