An electrical panel, often called a
breaker panel or
distribution board, serves as the main hub for distributing electrical power throughout a building. It has several important purposes:
- Power Distribution: It takes the electricity coming into the building from the main power supply and distributes it to different areas of the building through various circuits.
- Circuit Protection: Inside the panel, there are circuit breakers or fuses that protect the electrical circuits from overloads and short circuits. If a circuit becomes too overloaded, the breaker automatically trips, cutting off power to prevent damage or fire.
- Control: It allows you to control the power supply to different parts of the building. Each breaker controls a specific circuit, and you can turn off the power to a particular section when needed for maintenance or safety.
- Safety: It ensures that the electrical system is safe by providing overcurrent protection and preventing the possibility of electrical fires.
In short, an electrical panel acts as the control center for managing and protecting the electrical distribution in a building.