Electrical terminology can sometimes be confusing, so we thought we’d help clear up some misconceptions you may have. Two terms you’ll commonly hear when discussing residential electrical systems are breaker box and electrical panel. These terms are often used interchangeably and can refer to the same things. However, they can also be very different, depending on how your Marietta electrical system is set up.
SERVICE AND DISTRIBUTION OR BREAKER PANELS
The main electrical panel in a home is known as the service panel. This is where the electricity enters the house from outside. It’s also where the main disconnect is located when an electrician needs to shut your electricity off before performing any major work.
The breaker box is also known as the distribution panel, and this is where all of the wiring that supplies electricity to each circuit in the home is located. It also contains all of the circuit breakers that protect against power surges and can be used to shut the power off to each individual circuit.
In many older homes, the service panel and the distribution panel, or breaker box, are the same thing. The closed side of the panel where the electric meter is located is the service panel. The side with the door is the distribution panel, where all of the circuit breakers are located.
In new homes, you’ll usually find everything located outside on an exterior wall in the backyard or on the side of the house. This is because the National Electric Code (NEC) was updated in 2020 and now requires the service panel and main disconnect to be located outside the home. Firefighters can shut off the power in the event of an emergency without needing to go inside the building.
Some new homes are set up differently and have the service panel with the emergency disconnect outside. There are then one or more sub-panels inside the house that contain the circuit breakers. This type of setup is more common in colder climates, as it allows the homeowner to shut off or reset the circuit breakers without having to go outside. It’s also common in homes that have upgraded their electrical panel in recent years after the NEC changed to require an emergency disconnect outside.
When upgrading to a new electrical panel, it will have to meet the current NEC requirements. This means a new service panel with an emergency disconnect will need to be installed outside. From there, you’ll then have the choice to either install a new breaker panel in the same location as the old one or run all of the wiring out to the new panel outside. It’s often easier to install the breaker panel in the same location, but it really depends on how your electrical system is set up.
HOW CIRCUIT BREAKERS WORK
The circuit breaker panel is the most important part of any residential electrical system. Every circuit can only safely handle so many watts of electricity, and exactly how many watts a circuit can carry depends on its amperage. All of the main circuits that supply power to your lights and outlets are 120 volts and either 10 or 15 amps. Your home will also have at least a few 240-volt circuits that supply power to things like your central AC unit, oven, and clothes dryer, and these can range anywhere from 15 to 60 amps.
If there is ever a power surge or you’re trying to draw more watts than the circuit is designed to handle, the circuit breaker will instantly detect that there is too much current flowing. It will trip to shut off the flow of electricity to that circuit. The circuit breaker will also trip if there is ever a short circuit or arc fault, as these issues cause the current to drastically spike.
The primary purpose of all of the circuit breakers is to protect against fires or electrocution that could occur when a circuit is overloaded. When too much current flows through a circuit, it results in all of the wiring in the circuit becoming much hotter. If the breaker didn’t trip, the wires would quickly become so hot that the insulation around them might start to melt. This can result in an electrical fire. If the insulation melts and the wires are exposed, electricity can also start to spark or arc across the wires. This can cause nearby building materials like studs and insulation to catch fire.
Electrical circuits are closed-loop. The electricity flows through the live wire, which supplies power to everything on that circuit. Any unused current then flows through the neutral wire back to the electrical panel. If the circuit ever gets overloaded, the breaker automatically trips and opens the circuit so that electricity doesn’t continue flowing.
SIGNS YOU SHOULD HAVE YOUR ELECTRICAL PANEL UPGRADED
Electrical panels and circuit breakers should generally be replaced every 25 to 35 years for safety reasons. If an electrical panel is old, there is a higher chance that some of the circuit breakers may not work correctly, which could lead to an electrical fire starting.
If your home is more than 30 years old and has its original electrical panel, or if you have a fuse box instead of a breaker panel, you’ll want to schedule a panel upgrade as soon as possible. It’s important to regularly open the door on your panel and check for any signs of rust or corrosion. Rust and corrosion can prevent the breakers from tripping when they should, which means you should also have your panel replaced as soon as you can if it’s starting to rust. If the panel feels hot or makes a loud humming or buzzing sound, an electrician should inspect it immediately. There may be a need for replacement or repair.
Another sign that you need to upgrade your electrical panel is if your lights dim or flicker when your HVAC system starts. An upgrade may also be necessary if you’re using a 240-volt appliance like a clothes dryer. Flickering or dimming lights indicate that your electrical service doesn’t have sufficient amperage to supply power to everything at once. If the panel doesn’t have enough amps, large appliances that draw lots of power can cause the current flowing to the other circuits to temporarily decrease. This results in your lights flickering. This issue is common in homes that only have a 60- or 100-amp panel, as most homes will need at least a 200-amp panel to meet all of their electrical needs.
If you need to replace your electrical panel or upgrade your current electrical service, you can count on the experts at Garrett Mechanical. We specialize in a full range of residential and commercial electrical repair and installation services. We can also perform a full inspection to ensure your electrical system is safe and doesn’t have any issues. We’re available 24/7 for any emergencies as well as any heating, cooling, or plumbing services in Marietta and the surrounding areas. Give our team a call today if you have any questions or to schedule an electrical inspection or service appointment.
