How to map electrical circuits

Let there be light! Unfortunately, many older homes have “outgrown” their electrical systems. When these homes were originally built, no one anticipated that we would be using as many electric devices as we do today. Over the years, new light fixtures, outlets and appliances have been added to homes that are not equipped to handle the load. The problem is that these homes are inadequately wired for the number of electric appliances most people have in their home.

If you are planning to add any new outlets, lights or appliances, it is helpful to have a map (or schematic drawing) of your electrical circuits. This will help you determine if you can tap into an existing circuit or if you need to run a new circuit from the breaker panel. In this tutorial, you will learn how to map out your houses electrical system, which will help you plan for future needs or possibly alert you to an existing circuit overload. Also, many municipalities require that your circuit box be completely labeled before reselling your home. For complete, step-by-step instructions for this DIY project, watch this friendly and straightforward video tutorial.