Electrical Panel

The electrical panel (also called breaker box, service panel, or load center) is the central hub of your home's electrical system. It receives power from the utility and distributes it to individual circuits.

Components:

Main Breaker:

• Large switch controlling all power
• Rated for your home's total capacity (100-400 amps)
• Used to shut off all electricity

  Branch Circuit Breakers:

• Individual breakers for each circuit
• Different amperages for different uses
• Labeled to identify what they control

  Bus Bars:

• Metal strips connecting breakers to power
• Hot bus bars (power) and neutral bar

  Location:

Typically found in:

• Basement
• Garage
• Utility room
• Exterior (some climates)

  Panel Capacity:

• 100 amps: Older/smaller homes
• 150-200 amps: Most modern homes
• 400 amps: Large homes with high demand

  When to Upgrade:

• Frequently tripping breakers
• Fuses instead of breakers
• Adding major appliances (EV charger, hot tub)
• Renovations requiring more circuits
• Signs of burning or melting

  Safety:

• Know where your panel is located
• Keep area around panel clear
• Label all circuits clearly
• Never touch with wet hands
• Call a professional for any work inside the panel