A homeowner in Ann Arbor told me my panel labels were useless

Finished a service upgrade last month, and the client pointed at my neat, typed labels. Said 'What good is 'Bedroom 2 NW' if the breaker trips at midnight?' He was right. Now I add a second line with the actual outlet or fixture, like 'Ceiling fan and two receptacles'. Takes an extra five minutes per panel. Anyone else tweak their labeling after a complaint?

3 comments

3 Comments

nora_chen1mo ago

That "extra five minutes" is so worth it. I started doing something similar after a client with poor eyesight asked me to read their own panel to them over the phone. Now I use simple, big letters and avoid any shorthand a kid or a guest couldn't figure out. "Microwave" is just better than "KIT APPL 2".

riley8601mo ago

And it's not just about being nice, it's about cutting down on mistakes. If someone's in a rush or stressed, clear labels mean they're way less likely to press the wrong thing. That "KIT APPL 2" could be a breaker for the fridge, and now you've got a huge mess. Plain words just work better under pressure for everyone.

taylor.susan5d ago

Poor eyesight is a whole other layer I hadn't even thought about... my neighbor's dad is legally blind and has a hell of a time with his breaker panel when we lose power in the summer. He has to use a magnifier app on his phone just to read the tiny labels the electrician put in. Big, simple letters would save him so much hassle. And you're right about the "KIT APPL 2" thing too... my sister once flipped her fridge breaker trying to reset the microwave, ended up with a freezer full of melted ice cream. Plain English is just kinder all around.