Think of the electrical panel in your home as the main distribution center for all the electricity that keeps your devices running and your lights powered. Electricity arrives at your house from the power company via wires, and these wires connect directly to your electrical panel.
This box, which is often located in a basement or utility closet, is where the incoming electrical current gets divided into circuits that are smaller and safer, and they feed different parts of your home. This component may merely look like a gray box with switches, but it’s actually a critical component of your entire electrical system that makes certain that the energy you need is delivered where you need it to be. Here are some incredible facts behind how this component of your electrical system works.
Circuit Breakers Keep Your Home Safe
Notice that when you open up your electrical panel, you will see a couple of rows of switches. These are breakers, and they are designed to protect your home by stopping the surge of electricity when circuits become overloaded. Each circuit breaker controls the flow of electricity to a specific circuit, and these will power a set of outlets in a room. Some appliances, like refrigerators or clothes dryers, may have their own breakers, especially if they draw a significant amount of power.
When a circuit receives too much power, the breaker will trip. This is to prevent wires from burning, which will lead to electrical fires.
How Electricity Gets Distributed
Once the electricity reaches the circuits, it will travel to all the various outlets, which will then extend to your devices and appliances. Each circuit is designed to handle a specific electrical load. This load indicates how much power can safely flow through the circuit before problems occur. For example, circuits in the bedroom will handle less than those in a kitchen because bedrooms don’t contain appliances.
Understanding Voltage and Amperage
When discussing electricity, you might have heard terms, such as voltage and amperage, and these concepts are important when trying to understand how your electrical panel functions. Amperage is the amount of electrical current flowing. On the other hand, voltage describes the pressure of the electricity. The electrical panel in your home is designed to handle a certain amount of voltage, and this is usually 120 volts for most outlets in a home and 240 volts for outlets that are dedicated to appliances. Circuit breakers are rated for a specific amperage, which indicates the maximum amount of current that it can handle before it trips. It is critical not to exceed these ratings because doing so can cause serious trouble.
To make certain that your household has the necessary power to live life and to ensure safety, you must always maintain your electrical panel. The maintenance can be performed annually by an electrician who is licensed and experienced. It is important to schedule service calls because these enable professionals to spot and fix small problems before they become monumental. For panel repair or replacement or to schedule a service call, contact Paxton Electric in Rochester, MN straight away.
