Electrical Panels

An electrical panel is a control center for electric power in a home or commercial building. You may also see an electrical panel referred to as a breaker box, fuse box, circuit breaker panel, or main breaker.

An electrical panel can refer to any central electrical system of power distribution for a building. A breaker box usually refers to the enclosed set of circuit breakers in a residential home. The breaker box is usually found in the basement, garage, or utility room. It contains a set of switches housed in a metal electrical box casing with a door. Each circuit breaker delivers power to a different part of the home and offers protection from electrical surges or overloads.

If you’re doing electrical work on your home, it’s important to know how power is distributed throughout the house.

Four common types of electrical panels include:

1. Main breaker panel: This is what most people think of when they picture an electrical panel. This panel has a main circuit breaker switch that can turn off all power to a building. The main breaker is a two-pole circuit breaker that identifies the panel’s amperage capacity and maintains the electricity intake at a safe level.
2. Lug panel: This type of electrical panel does not have a main breaker. A main lug is sometimes called a secondary or downstream panel.
3. Sub-panel: This is an electrical panel box that is smaller than the main panel. It’s used to deliver power to a specific area of the home that may need its own electrical wiring, such as a separate workshop, greenhouse, or even a hot tub.
4. Transfer switch: A transfer switch is a specific type of sub-panel. These switches can supply electricity from a generator when power outages occur and deliver it through the breaker panel.

The National Electrical Code (NEC) dictates that the minimum electrical strength for a standard panel, known as amperage, should be 100-amps. Amperage will vary from home to home, but 100 or 150-amps are suitable for the average family’s electrical needs.

You may hear the terms breaker box and electrical panel used interchangeably, but there are some distinctions between the two. A breaker box is a type of electrical panel, as is a fuse box. An electrical panel can also refer to a control center for a specific type of equipment, such as an automated snow and ice melting controller.

Circuit breakers are the switches inside a breaker box. In the event of an electrical overload or outage, these breakers protect your home by interrupting the flow of electricity. The individual switches in your home’s circuit breaker box might be labeled by room or appliance.

There are two main types of breakers — standard breakers and circuit interrupters. Standard breakers may be:

• Single-pole circuit breakers: These breakers monitor the electricity flow of a single wire and accommodate between 15 and 30 amps.
• Double-pole circuit breakers: These breakers have side-by-side switches to monitor the current of two wires at once. They can accommodate 15 to 200 amps.

Circuit interrupters include:

• Ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) circuit breakers: These breakers prevent electric shock caused by a current through a grounded element. In some homes, GFCI breakers are required for outlets that could get wet, like bathrooms or laundry rooms.
• Arc fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) circuit breakers: These breakers are usually found in new houses and offer protection from arcing in wiring, which can lead to electrical fires.

The number of circuit breakers will depend on the size of the panel. Most homes have between 20 and 30 breakers, though an older home may have fewer. Per the NEC, a breaker box must have a circuit directory on the panel door that labels each switch.

Fuse boxes and circuit breakers serve the same purpose: they protect electrical circuits and protect from power overloads when needed. A circuit breaker looks like a large sideways light switch, and it’s usually black or gray. A fuse is a wire filament enclosed in glass or ceramic. A fuse box will usually have two columns of round fuses.

Fuse boxes are usually found in older homes, especially those built before 1960. Newer construction almost always uses circuit breakers instead. Fuse boxes provide up to 60-amp power, whereas circuit breakers usually have 100 or 200-amp panels. Large homes that have a lot of appliances and electronic devices may need up to 400 amps of power.

If you have a fuse box and experience a power overload, you’ll need to purchase a new fuse. In contrast, circuits don’t need to be replaced if there’s a surge. Most circuit breakers last 30 to 40 years, so it’s rare that you’ll need a new circuit.

Additionally, if your home was built before 1990, you may be due for an electric panel upgrade. Certain older breaker panels from Zinsco and other manufacturers can overheat and become a fire hazard after many years of use.

With same-day shipping, best-in-class customer service, and competitive pricing, HomElectrical is the best choice for your next DIY project or renovation. We carry more than 133,000+ electrical supply and LED lighting products, so you’re sure to find the items you need from the brand names you trust like Eaton and Wago.

For more information about electrical panel replacement or upgrade, call us at 888-616-3532 today.