How do I organize this?

Question

My neighbor just bought a 1.8 million dollar house, I saw it today and the place literally has over 75 switch panels each with like 5 switches on them. He wants me to find all of these panels and find out what each light switch turns on or does. How can I make a graph on this or organize these panels into something nice and easy to use.

Answer 1

We could use a lot more information, ie.  are you allowed to move any of the switches?  

Generally speaking, it is best to have items (switches) placed at the location you need to use them.  If several rooms have 5 switches on one plate, it seems as if it was done that way for the ease of the electrician.  

MAYBE you could arrange the switches in similar order

1.  The overhead light.  2.  The overhead fan.  3. The outlet switches. 4.specialized switches (ie.. the fireplace) 5. A switch that controls something in another room.  

I would always put a light in switches that control devices in other rooms to indicate when they are on.  

Color or style of switches may give the owner a clue.  (all lights could be white, all outlets cream,

Diagrams or instructions at the outlets or electronic devices are equally as important.  

The owner should know how much load is on each breaker.  

Young girls with small bedrooms could pull A LOT with phones, dryers, irons, tv's, computers, etc.   good luck!!!!

Answer 2

Make 2 lists - 1 is a (graphic) list of all the electrical devices in each distinct area (room) and the 2nd is a list of breakers showing a breakdown of every point that is controlled by each breaker.

If you're asking about physically rewiring, forget it.