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Electrical wall panels, commonly known as electrical panels or electrical circuit panels, are devices that distribute electricity and monitor it. They are divided into circuits and are connected to all electrical devices in a home or industry. An electrical wall panel board is a metal box containing circuit breakers or fuses that protect electrical circuits from overcurrent and short circuits.
When the current exceeds the required amount, the electrical panel will automatically cut off the power to that circuit. The reason why electrical panels are important is that they help to prevent damage to wiring and electrical devices. They also help to prevent electrical fires and electrocution.
There are different types of electrical panels, such as:
Electrical panel boards are an integral part of the electrical system. The features and functions for each type are detailed below.
Main Electrical Panel Board
The main electrical panel features listed above provide the following functions:
-Distributing power from the utility to the different circuits in the house.
-Overcurrent protection to prevent electrical fires and circuit damage.
-Grounding the system to keep it safe.
-Main shut-off for quick power cut-off in emergencies.
-Isolation to prevent electric shock and fires.
-Metering to track utility usage and costs.
Sub Electrical Panel Board
Sub panel boards have many of the same features as the main panel but on a smaller scale. Their main functions include:
-Distributing power to specific areas of the building, such as different floors or sections.
-Overcurrent protection for circuits in the area they serve.
-Reducing the need for long wire runs from the main panel, which can be expensive and inefficient.
-Increasing the overall capacity of the electrical system by adding more circuit breakers.
-Providing a backup power source in case the main panel fails.
Combination Electrical Panel
Combination panels are designed to serve the functions of both subpanels and main panels. Their main functions include:
-Power distribution to various circuits in the building, including lighting, outlets, and appliances.
-Overcurrent protection to prevent circuit damage or electrical fires.
-Utility meters to track electricity consumption and provide real-time monitoring of usage.
-Main circuit disconnects for quick power shut-off in emergencies or maintenance situations.
-Reduced footprint compared to separate main and subpanels, saving space and installation costs.
-Enhanced system reliability and efficiency by combining multiple functions into one unit.
Power Distribution
Power distribution is the primary application of electrical panel boards. It distributes electricity to different circuits within a building. Main electrical panels receive power from the utility company. Then, they distribute it to various branch circuits. Each branch circuit powers different areas or appliances in the building. For instance, one circuit can power the living room. Another can power the kitchen. This distribution ensures that power is efficiently and safely delivered to different parts of the building.
Voltage Regulation
Electrical panel boards help to ensure the stable supply of power to different appliances. It does this by regulating voltage levels. The panel board contains circuit breakers or fuses. These components control the flow of electricity to various circuits. They also ensure that the voltage levels remain constant. The regulation prevents damage to electrical appliances caused by over-voltage or under-voltage conditions.
Short Circuit Protection
Electrical panels protect the electrical system from short circuits. It uses circuit breakers or fuses that detect and interrupt the flow of electricity in case of a short circuit. When the circuit is shorted, the circuit breakers will trip, cutting off electricity to prevent overheating and fires. This protects the entire electrical system and the building from extensive damage.
Overcurrent Protection
Overcurrent occurs when the current flowing through a circuit exceeds the recommended level. This can lead to overheating and fires. Electrical panel boards protect against this by using thermal magnetic circuit breakers. These breakers have a bimetallic strip that bends with increased current. This strip will trip the breaker, interrupting the circuit. They also have magnetic coils that will trip the breaker in case of a high current. The overcurrent protection prevents damage to wires and electrical appliances.
Ground Fault Protection
Ground faults occur when current escapes to the ground through an unintended path. This can be very dangerous and cause electrocution. Electrical panel boards have ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI). It includes circuit breakers in receptacles that detect ground faults. They interrupt the circuit within a few milliseconds. This prevents electric shocks and ensures the safety of the electrical system.
Surge Protection
Electrical panel boards protect the electrical system from power surges. These are sudden increases in voltage that can damage electrical appliances. The panels use surge protective devices (SPDs) that absorb and redirect excess voltage to the ground. This protects sensitive electronics and appliances from damage.
Electrical panel boards are essential for electricity distribution in any structure. When buying electrical panels for resale, choose those ideal for various applications. Consider panels suitable for:
Also, consider the material of the electrical panel board. The material affects the electrical panel board's quality, longevity, and performance. The best materials to consider when buying electrical wall panels include:
Q: What is an electrical distribution board?
A: An electrical DB is a component of an electrical installation that distributes electrical power to different circuits. It houses circuit breakers, fuses, and busbars. All the components are safely enclosed in a metallic or non-metallic box.
Q: What is the main purpose of a panel board?
A: The panel board's main purpose is to distribute electrical power to different circuits. It does this by routing electrical power from the incoming supply to outgoing circuits. It uses circuit breakers or fuses to ensure safe distribution.
Q: What is the difference between a switchboard and a panelboard?
A: A switchboard is an assembly of electric power distribution components. It includes circuit breakers, fuses, and switches. A switchboard is used to distribute electrical power to various circuits. It is mainly used in commercial and industrial applications. A panelboard, on the other hand, is a single board. It contains electrical components for distributing power to circuits. It is primarily used in residential and light commercial applications.
Q: What is the main purpose of a wall panel?
A: Electrical wall panels serve as an enclosure for circuit breakers or fuses. It contains electrical components like busbars and neutral and earth bars. It ensures safe distribution of electrical power to various circuits.
Q: What are the three types of electrical panels?
A: The three main types of electrical panels include:Main Breaker Panel: This type of panel has a main breaker that interrupts power from the utility company. It is used in homes and light commercial applications. Branch Circuit Panels: These panels are used to distribute power to individual circuits in residential and light commercial settings. They do not have a main breaker. Subpanels are a type of branch circuit panel. They are usually installed to reduce the load on the main panel or to provide power to specific areas. Main Lug Panels: These panels do not have a main breaker. Instead, they have main lugs that connect directly to the utility power. They are typically used when a building already has a main disconnect in place.