Main breaker panel
A main breaker panel, also known as a main service panel or main electrical panel, is a type of electrical panel that serves as the primary distribution point for electricity in a building or home. It is typically located near the point of entry of the electrical service, such as at the meter base or near the street.
A main breaker panel is designed to:
- Protect the electrical system from overloads and short circuits by breaking the circuit when a fault is detected.
- Distribute electricity to various parts of the building or home through individual circuits.
- Provide a central location for circuit breakers, fuses, or other protective devices to be installed.
A typical main breaker panel consists of:
- A main breaker: This is the primary switch that controls the flow of electricity to the entire building or home.
- Busbars: These are metal strips that connect the main breaker to the individual circuit breakers or fuses.
- Circuit breakers or fuses: These are installed in the panel to protect individual circuits from overloads and short circuits.
- Grounding bus: This is a metal strip that connects the grounding system of the electrical panel to the grounding system of the building or home.
The main breaker panel is typically rated for a specific amount of electrical power, measured in amperes (A) or kilowatts (kW). The most common ratings for main breaker panels are:
- 100-200 A (residential)
- 200-400 A (commercial)
- 400-600 A (industrial)
Some common features of main breaker panels include:
- Arc fault protection: This feature detects and interrupts arcing faults, which can cause electrical fires.
- Ground fault protection: This feature detects and interrupts ground faults, which can cause electrical shocks.
- GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) protection: This feature detects and interrupts ground faults in specific circuits, such as those in bathrooms and kitchens.
- AFCI (Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter) protection: This feature detects and interrupts arcing faults in specific circuits.
Overall, a main breaker panel is a critical component of an electrical system, providing a safe and reliable way to distribute electricity throughout a building or home.