If you’re the type of person who gets nervous before electrical wiring, you’re not alone. It can be a scary process when high-voltage currents and lots of equipment are involved. But if you’re careful and follow the proper precautions, it’s not as risky as you might think. One of the best ways to get familiar with electricity is by learning the different uses and functions of power distribution boxes.
Main Functions of Distribution Boxes
Distribution boxes are available in a wide range of electrical systems, including commercial, industrial and residential. As an integral part of fire prevention, they act as a barrier between electrical systems to prevent fires from extending from one system to another.
According to Jon-Don Janitorial and Building Services, power distribution boxes can also protect equipment from overloads. This helps you save on replacement costs that would otherwise incur if overloading happened.
In some cases, protection against voltage surges is provided by these devices when installed with surge protectors or lightning arresters. It would help if you also learned about some of the most common types to tell what kind to use in your home or office. They are:
Industrial Lighting Panel
The most common distribution boxes are industrial lighting panels or electrical control panels used to control electrical equipment like motors, conveyors, etc.
Main Breaker Panel
The main breaker panel is a fuse box or circuit breaker that contains primary power distribution lines. The main breaker panel provides high-power circuits to large electrical loads like air conditioners, refrigerators, heaters, etc.
Main Lug Panel
A fuse or circuit breaker protects each circuit in a residential electrical panel. If more current flows through one circuit than it can handle, electricity will trip a switch that stops power to that part of the home.
Sub Panel
Subpanels work best for residential, commercial, industrial, health care, and educational settings. Contractors typically install them in rooms like basements or attics with a dedicated entrance to the outside. They usually mount them on an interior wall within easy reach of an electrical service panel. The main advantage of using sub panels is to reduce congestion in main panels.
Transfer Switch
A transfer switch is a device that enables you to convert your primary source from commercial power to a generator automatically. This prevents damage to sensitive electronics and equipment in your home or office during an outage. Transfer switches are a requirement of code regulators in most areas. For example, electricians usually install them on incoming utility service lines, but they can also install them on generator systems.
Panel Fuse Bank
When safety is a concern, as it is in many industrial use areas, you’ll often find yourself looking at panel fuse banks. These are heavily-insulated panels that house fuses or circuit breakers.
Unitized Panel
Unitized panels are another popular option. They are pre-fabricated circuit breakers, fuse, busway, and telecom options that businesses can assemble into a single panel. These panels are great options when aesthetics are a top priority.
Distribution boards are a vital part of any electrical system. Without them, you will have to use extension cords to connect multiple devices. That is unsafe, but it can also cause a severe fire hazard.
