Electrical service panels are the heart of your electrical system. They provide protection to the wires inside and outside of your home and to all the appliances installed. Because your home's electrification relies on these panels, it's a good idea to know what you have. Below are some common examples of residential panels.

Electrical Panels You May Find at Home

1. Fuse Boxes

Fuses have an internal wire that will burn out if too much current runs through them. The excess electrification breaks the circuit and disrupts power to devices in the house. Homes need fuses to protect lights, appliances, and electronics from high current levels that could be damaging. Fuse boxes contain this equipment and are more common in older homes. A common mistake homeowners make is to go up to the next size. For example: if a fuse is 20 amps, but the fuse keeps burning out, they will replace it with a 25 amp or 30 amp fuse to correct the issue. This is a mistake! It is actually a fire hazard to do so. If you have a fuse box, we highly recommend getting it replaced with a new and up-to-date panel to withstand today's electrical demands and standards.

2. Main-Panel

The main-panel is a power distribution box, meaning it directs the electricity coming into your home to the devices in various rooms. This panel type contains circuit breakers that, like fuses, will break an electrical connection if they experience too much current flow or a short circuit. However, they don't burn out permanently. Instead, they have a switch that will automatically flip off, which is known as tripping. You can also manually turn off the breakers  during planned work or reset them after it has been tripped.

3. Sub-Panel

These panels are designed to give your home more space for growth or expansion of your electrical system. The reasons you would need a sub-panel are because the main-panel is full or for a detached building/ garage/ shed etc. A sub-panel is fed from the main-panel with either a 60 amp circuit up to a 125 amp circuit, depending on your needs. 

If you need help updating or maintaining your home's electrical panels, contact Electrical Panel Experts in Forney, TX. They have experienced electricians since 2005 helping home & business owners keep their lights, appliances, and personal devices running safely. Call or text (214) 551-2907 to schedule an appointment, or visit the website for more information about their services.