Knowing Which Electric Panels To Buy

Electric Panels also known as fuse boards, fuse boxes, control panels, distribution boards are an integral part of our lives today. The Electric Panels’ basic functioning includes dividing the incoming power supply into different circuits according to the power need of each section. One important function they serve is they are designed to shut down or “trip” in case of over current or excessive current supply. This is a safety feature incorporated to prevent damage to wires as well as possibility of fire.

Sub parts of an Electric Panel:

• Bus Bars – the power is supplied into the Bus Bars from the electricity meter through two thick wires. These Bus Bars then transfer the current to the circuits through the circuit breakers.
• Neutral Bus Bars – These Neutral Bus Bars are connected to the neutral wire in the main circuit. Also these Neutral Bus Bars serve as a contact point for the white wires.
• Main panel – The main panel serves to control the power coming in from outside so that only the needed amount is passed onto the circuits.
• Grounding Bars – These Grounding Bars join the grounding wires from all circuits in the panel and connects them to the grounding bar as well as a grounding conductor which leads underground.

Amperage capacity in an Electric Panel:
There are different Electric Panels providing specific amounts of amperage to a household. This means that in case the amperage capacity of the Electric Panel in your home is 200 amps, then it will allow only the maximum of 200 amps of electricity to pass through without tripping. Also an Electric Panel can support a specific number of circuits only. E.g. if you buy a 200 amps Electric Panel with 40 circuit panel, then your Electric Panel can handle 40 circuit breakers and a maximum of 200 amps of power intake. Based on the amperage requirement of your household, you should choose a specific Electric Panel with the required amperage capacity.

These are just some of the basic information you would require when buying Electric Panels. When buying Electric Panel, care should be taken to select one which would take effective care of your present and future power needs.