Understanding Electrical Panel Types

An electrical panel, often referred to as a breaker box or distribution board, is a crucial component of any home's electrical system. It regulates the distribution of electrical power across different circuits, ensuring safety and efficiency. With several types of electrical panels available, choosing the right one can significantly impact your home’s electrical functionality. This article provides a detailed guide to understanding the various types of electrical panels and their specific applications.

Role of Electrical Panels

Electrical panels serve as the heart of a home’s electrical system, distributing and regulating power where it's needed. They ensure safety by preventing power surges and electrical fires through circuit breakers that trip when a circuit is overloaded. Properly configured electrical panels also improve the efficiency of your home's power use, reducing the risk of system breakdowns and extending the life of your appliances.

Main Breaker Panel

The main breaker panel is the most common type of electrical panel found in homes today. It includes a main breaker that controls the power supply to all circuits. This panel provides a central point for shutting off all electrical power in the house, making it essential for overall safety and circuit management.

Main Lug Panel

Main lug panels do not include a main breaker. Instead, the line wires run to lugs. They are typically used as distribution panels that are secondary to the main breaker panel. This type is often utilized in buildings where there is already a main breaker upstream, providing an additional layer of distribution for managing multiple circuits.

Sub Panel

A subpanel is a smaller service panel that branches off from the main panel and can be used to add circuits in a specific area of your home, like a garage or home addition. Subpanels are convenient for areas that require significant electrical resources separate from the main house or as a way to circumvent overloading the main panel.

Transfer Switches

Transfer switches are specialized panels used in homes with backup power solutions, like generators. They allow for safe switching between the main electrical supply and the generator, ensuring that the generator does not send power back to the grid, which can be dangerous for utility workers during outages.

Understanding the different types of electrical panels is vital for any homeowner or builder looking to ensure their electrical system is both safe and adequately suited to their needs. Whether you’re constructing a new home, upgrading an old system, or simply expanding your current electrical setup, knowing the right panel to use can make all the difference. At Portland Metro Electric we offer free consultation and estimates. Contact us today and speak to one of our electrical technicians.