Breaker Panel
Guide to Circuit Breaker Panels in your Home
The circuit breaker inside your home has two essential functions. It is a conduit for power to flow through your house to the circuits that provide electric power to areas that require it. Circuit breakers stop electric current in the event of danger. This protects the circuits. This article will discuss the function of circuit breaker panels and when you might want to replace or upgrade them.
You probably don’t think of this particular component very often, but it is one of the most crucial components of your home’s electrical system. It’s referred to as a circuit breaker box or the breaker box.
It is vital because all electricity utilized in your home is filtered through it, and through the circuit breakers. If you have it properly set up then you’ll never think twice about it.
If the equipment isn’t up to the task it can be difficult to manage or could cause safety concerns for your home.
This article will provide an explanation of what an electrical panel is and how it functions. We’ll also look at some reasons to have your main breaker panel to be inspected by qualified electricians of Barnes Solar. Let’s begin by understanding the basics of the circuit breaker box.
What is a breaker panel and how does it work?
The circuit breaker box connects the electrical grid outside your residence to wiring within. This is the main service panel that controls the electrical outlets and lighting, heating and other equipment.
Service drop can be described as a method by which power is delivered to the breaker box through the outside. This could come from power poles or buried power lines. There electricity is then routed to branch circuits that will supply power to your home.
You should also be familiar with other names
“Breaker panel” is a name that refers to the circuit breakers which supply electricity to the branches that originate from the panel. You may also call it various different names. It can also be called the circuit breaker, breaker box or electrical panel. It works in the same way no matter what name it’s given.
How it works
Circuit breakers are essential safety devices that cut off branch circuits in the event that they sense overload. This is why you could have noticed a circuit interrupter going off (shutting down) when you connect several appliances in your kitchen.
It is a more old version if you are old enough and reside in an older residence. Fuses’ purpose was to protect branches from overloads. But, a fuse that has blown is required to be replaced to restore electricity in the circuit. Circuit breakers can be reset by switching an switch.
Capacity of the breaker box
Amperage capacity is the most crucial statistic you need to know about your panel. It is also known as amps. (or amps) is a measure of the amount of electricity used. The capacity of the amperage for the breaker panel in your home has increased as homes get bigger with more appliances used. While 200-amp circuit breakers are standard nowadays however, you may find panels or fuse boxes with ratings as lower as 60 amps in homes constructed prior to the 1960s.
Where can I find my main fuse box?
There is a chance that you are unsure of the place where your breaker panel situated if you’ve never used it. There are a variety of common places.
Garages are common locations. They usually are erected on the outside of a wall, which is where the power is provided via the drop in service.
It’s not uncommon to see the breaker panel in a basement, if there’s an underground powerline.
Another location that isn’t common for single-family homes, but might be more prevalent in a townhouse/duplex is the lower floors of the hallways, in a pantry in the kitchen or in an utility closet.
An exterior wall is a less common spot that you might find in older homes.
A look inside your electrical panel
Let’s get through the panel by opening it up.
You don’t know what you don’t know
The primary breaker panel can be found inside the box. There are some switches. Below are the hot and ground bus bars. Each individual switch you’ll see is equipped with ground and powered wires connected to the ground and power wires.
Main switch
The panel’s top will have one switch. This is the main switch. This will cut off power to your home.
Individual circuit switches
Two rows of numbers switches are the first thing you be able to see when you walk through your panel’s door. These are the circuit breakers. Each one regulates the circuits in your home. The circuit breakers should be set to ON so that power flows through them. The circuit will be cut out if the switch turned off.
A piece of paper with the details of the number is located within the door’s door panel. The card could read “1 Kitchen Outlets.” You can turn the switch on or off to cut the electricity to your kitchen outlets.
It is common to find the card hard to comprehend or badly written. It is worth spending some time with another person to look over the switches controls and ensure that the card is legible and precise. This will help you know how to shut off power to circuits such as if you need to replace an outlet or wall switch.
Switches with single-pole or double-pole poles
Your panel could have two types of circuit breakers.
- Single-pole breakers are classified as single switch with an amperage range of 15 to 20 amps. They are commonly used in household circuits with 120 volts.
- Double-pole breaker is the double switch that has two switches linked. These are specifically designed to handle more than 240 V, and come with higher amperage ratings. These can be connected to high-voltage circuits such as water heaters, furnaces and air conditioning.
The sub-panel
You may find a sub-panel next to the main box in some cases. There may be an outbuilding that you need to run on a separate system or due to having changed the electrical system of your home. If a backup generator is connected to the home’s electric system, then a sub-panel could be employed.
The size that you need
You might find an article on the rating of breakers when you look the latest updates to panel panels and breaker panels. You will see the most common ratings discussed being 100-amp or 200-amp. These ratings reflect the power of the electrical panel.
100-amp
The panels do not work in homes that have central heating or air conditioning. A 100-amp panel could be used to supply power to appliances, lights, and receptacles.
200-amp
These boxes are typical for new construction, and can be employed for any electrical need. You might require a larger panel box if your home requires more electricity or is very big.
250-amp
They are ideal for large homes that have lots of electrical needs, especially if the electrical energy is utilized to heat the house. It is possible to upgrade your panel to a 250-amp or greater model if you are upgrading the electrical system in your home to accommodate an extension building, workshop, or other outbuilding.
Signs your current panel is not up to the job
There’s a chance you’ve experienced the circuit breaker go off in the same way as most people. It’s time to turn off your blender then reset the breaker to go on with your day. This is an example of your panel’s ability to do its job. If the issue isn’t occurring often, there’s nothing to worry about.
There are times that it’s not working. These signals could indicate that your breaker panel is overloaded or not functioning properly. Let’s look at some of these.
Frequent breaker tripping
A circuit breaker trip shouldn’t be reason to be alarm. If any of the circuit breakers in your home need to be reset often there could be an issue. Sometimes, the problem can be solved by replacing it with a model that has a higher amp. However, it is wise to seek out an electrician to confirm that this is possible.
Still aren’t using an electrical fuse
It’s time to replace your fuse box if you reside in an older residence. Circuit breakers are safer and more user-friendly than traditional fuse boxes. It is also a good idea to have an electrical contractor perform a thorough examination of an electrical circuit.
There are black stains or burned areas.
It is imperative to have your panel box examined if you spot this. You may have a short circuit inside the panel box or defective wiring. The majority of fires at home are caused by electrical issues. Don’t let yourself be victim to these problems.
There are burning smells
This could be an indication that your electrical panel is damaged or has hot wires. It is essential to have it checked right away.
The wire seems to have been heated
The circuit breakers in your home are responsible for stopping excess current from entering the circuits of your home. Your circuit breakers may not be working properly in the event that your wiring is melting, or overheating. It is recommended to have them checked immediately.
Hot surfaces or hissing sound
An electrical system that is functioning properly is one that is silent and free of excessive heat. The signs of danger should be immediately reported to appropriate authorities.
Flickering or dimming lights
These indicators indicate an inconsistency in the flow of electricity through your electrical panel. It could be due to the wiring or individual circuit breakers on your panel are not in good working order.
All of these situations require that you contact Barnes Solar‘s licensed, expert electricians as soon as you can to resolve the problem.
What are the reasons to upgrade your home’s electric panel?
In addition to the safety issues due to a damaged or outdated breaker panel there are many other great reasons. A new installation of a breaker panel could solve serious problems. Let’s examine some of the reasons that new electrical panels are often installed.
Your current panel is not up to date or is unable to meet your needs.
The issue has been debated before. Upgrade your home if you have a fuse box or you are unable to handle your home’s electric. If your fuse box is older than you thought, there’s a good reason to upgrade.
It is possible that you are running circuits overloaded or having numerous extension cables and power strips. Your system needs serious upgrades It all begins with the panel for breaker.
You are adding a generator to your home
For you to connect a home generator to your house and to use it in a safe manner, you’ll require new wiring and sub-panel. The sub-panel will have separate electrical circuits for the generator to be connected to and make sure that it operates safely.
You can add to your home with an addition
Are you contemplating adding an addition to your home or are you already there? Congratulations! Remember that you’ll also use more power due to your increased square footage.
Check to see if you can have your panel evaluated to determine if it requires to be adjusted to increase electrical capacity or allow for additional circuit breakers to be connected to through the wire.
You are adding a dedicated home-office
It is possible that you have more electrical requirements when you’ve constructed an office space in your home. To determine if your panel is in need of replacement or upgraded, it’s a recommended to contact an electrician.
An additional in-law room is currently in the making
An in-law suite could be the perfect solution to your family’s requirements. If you’re planning to add a separate heating and cooling system to your room with a multi-split system, make sure your electrical system is able to handle the additional power demands.
Upgrade to an EV charging station
Electricity is the next frontier of transportation. There will be a need to charge your EV. The fastest way to do this at home is by using a Level 2 charger, that uses the 120-volt circuit. It could be an important improvement to your electric system, particularly if you begin with a smaller circuit panel.
Always remain safe
It’s very satisfying to be DIY-er. It’s important to be aware of your limitations. Be aware of whether you’re in a position to upgrade or replace an electrical circuit.
Fires caused by electrical appliances in the home can lead to serious injuries and even death. It’s a smart decision to hire Barnes Solar if you aren’t sure you understand the best way to install electrical systems. Barnes Solar has highly-trained technicians who can work on projects of any size that range from small home repairs and upgrades to large commercial projects.
Contact us today to set up an appointment to get your circuit breakers panel assessed to ensure safety. We’ll get back to you within a short time and give no-obligation estimates.
You can also add a circuit by yourself
You should be realistic when working with any electrical device. It can be done by anyone who is skilled and able to adhere to the basic safety guidelines.
Switch off the panel’s main switching. After that, take out the screws that join the panel and then remove it. Near the top of your panel, you’ll notice two large lugs with black wires attached. These wires are alive so don’t touch them!
The metal “knockout”, located on the panel on which you intend to install the circuit breaker must be removed. The cable will be used to make the new circuit. Then, connect the cable to the location of the new breaker switch and cut the wires in length according to the documentation for the breaker switch.
The wires should be connected to the new switch and put it in the panel. Switch off the power and replace the panel cover and check the circuit.
A small group of people with the responsibility of a large job
The breaker box at your home is a crucial element that makes up your residence. It may indicate problems if you notice it more often than usual. Don’t hesitate to contact Barnes SolarSolar Group’s electrician in case your system isn’t working as you would like or you notice any unusual activities.
If you are thinking of making home improvements that will affect the electrical system, then your circuit breaker panel needs to be examined first. You could end up with additional expense and hassle in the event that it’s not enough. You’ve made a wise choice by upgrading your circuit breaker panel.