Electrical Panel are the backbone of any electrical system. They control the flow of power, and are responsible for detecting and preventing overheating or short circuits. This is achieved by monitoring the current running through a circuit, and then either interrupting or shutting off the flow of electricity when a problem is detected. This prevents any serious damage to your wiring or electrical systems, and helps ensure that your home or commercial building is protected from dangerous electric hazards such as fires.

An electrical panel is a metal box that contains several different components. The main service entrance wires that connect to the panel are referred to as lugs and will always have energy coursing through them unless your utility company temporarily turns off the power for repairs or maintenance. There are two terminals on the top of the electrical panel that will be plugged into the lugs. One is labelled “Main” and the other is labelled with its amperage capacity which is normally 100 or 150 amps depending on how old your panel is.

Inside the panel you will find a number of circuit breakers that are stacked and controlled with a lever that places them in the “On” or “Off” position. At the top of the panel is the main breaker that controls all the other breakers in the panel. There will also be two rows of circuit breakers that operate for the branch circuits. Generally, a newer panel will contain 120 and 240-volt circuits and a total amperage of 100 or 150 amps.

If you have a fuse panel, it is important to have it upgraded to a modern electrical panel as soon as possible. A number of manufacturers produced faulty load centers in the previous decades that are still in use, and these panels have been the source of numerous home electrical problems. These faulty panels feature outdated, thermal only fuses that are subject to corrosion over time and can lead to insufficient or unreliable trip functions during an overload or fault condition.

When selecting a manufacturer for your electrical panel, you should look for ISO certifications. These ensure that the manufacturer follows specific processes to design and manufacture their products, and that they consistently produce high-quality panels. This is an indication that the manufacturer has a strong commitment to quality and safety in their products.

There are a number of signs that your electrical panel is beginning to fail, including a buzzing sound or sparking while switching on appliances. If you are experiencing these issues, it is important to contact an experienced electrician as soon as possible to have your electrical panel replaced with a more reliable and safe model.

Besides replacing your electrical panel, you can also consider installing an Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS) to protect against a loss of utility power. The ATS will monitor the flow of electricity from your utility and backup sources, and will automatically switch to your backup source in case of a power outage.