You may have seen the little gray metal box or electrical panel before. This can be found in your basement, garage, utility room, or laundry room. But do you know what it is, and why it is important in your home?
Your electrical panel acts as the “brain” of your home’s electrical system that houses and powers the breakers and circuits, ensuring a safe, secure, and efficient operation.
Why Are Electrical Panels Important?
The electricity from the circuits is distributed safely to the outlets throughout your home via your electric panel, which acts as the receiver for the incoming electrical load.
When a circuit or outlet is overloaded, it “trips” to the off position and turns everything off to prevent fire and damage to your property.
Furthermore, electrical panels provide homeowners with a secure mechanism to shut off the energy when necessary to perform renovations, electrical maintenance, or repairs. You greatly reduce your risk of electrocution by doing this.
What's Inside Your Electrical Panel
If you’re planning to upgrade your electrical panel or undertake a home circuit breaker troubleshooting, you will need a basic knowledge of how your electrical panel looks and functions.
You’ll find a number of switches when you open your service panel. Your home’s kitchen, living room, utility room, bedroom, bathroom, and basement are just a few examples of the rooms that each switch controls. There may be multiple breakers in a room that controls the power to the space in larger or newer homes.
It is more convenient to mark each switch with the area of the house it controls to save time and avoid the stress of having to trace faulty wires and connections. Switches are connected to the circuits and safely control the flow of electricity throughout the panel.
1. Panel Door
The panel door is the first item you’ll see on your electrical panel. This is made to be simple for a homeowner to reach to fix a tripped circuit breaker and to safely contain all the switches for your circuit breakers. The dead front cover, which electricians will utilize to access every component in the panel, should not be mistaken for the panel door. As a safety measure, these covers are designed to be challenging to open.
2. Circuit Breaker
3. Single-Pole and Double-Pole Breakers
4. Fuses
5. Expansion Slots
6. Main Breaker
What Should You Do If Something Isn't Working?
When you use your hairdryer or toaster, you could trip a circuit, which could be a sign that there is a problem with the breaker box.
It is preferable for you to call an electrician in this circumstance. Personal injuries, electrical fires, and other property damages could result from unmanaged conditions. An expert electrician will assess the situation and decide the best course of action to restore your electricity safely and dependably.
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Reliable Residential And Commercial Electrician In Noblesville, IN
The whole Noblesville, Indiana, and surrounding area is serviced by Phase 1 Electric Services for both residential and commercial clients. When you contact us for assistance, you can count on our expert electricians equipped with the knowledge and specialized tools required to locate the root of the problem and carry out any necessary electrical or wire repairs. For the best resolution to your electrical-related issues, contact us today.
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Phase 1 Electric Services offers 24/7 emergency electrical service in Noblesville, IN, and surrounding areas. Call (463) 217-3568 today!