A home’s electrical panel, also called a breaker box or load center, is the central hub for power to all areas of a house. It protects against voltage fluctuations and sudden power surges, ensuring all appliances and lighting are powered safely and efficiently. It also allows you to shut off all or individual circuits in the event of an emergency.

Electrical panels come in a variety of sizes based on the total amount of power your home uses. Its amperage capacity is often identified by a number that’s printed on the main breaker switch at the top or bottom of the panel. Each breaker has a different amperage rating depending on how much electricity it can safely carry – a 15-amp breaker is usually for standard outlets and lighting, while 20-amp breakers control high-use outlets in kitchens or garages, as well as washers and dryers.

If you’re constantly flipping your breaker switches (or replacing fuses) due to circuit overloads, it might be time for an upgrade to a larger panel. Other signs that your home’s panel isn’t the right size include hot outlets, acrid “ozone” smell, and discoloration around your outlet.

Electrical panels also contain a variety of other features, including a main disconnect switch and grounding busbar. They typically feature a DIN rail, a metallic strip that holds components and allows them to easily snap on and off for easy maintenance. They also have wire ducts that allow for easy wire run exit and entrance to electrical components.Electrician