system and if it needs replacing or upgrading, it's important to get the right panel for your specific needs. Learn what you What are Circuit Breakers Used For?
Circuit breakers are a vital safety measure used in all modern electrical installations, protecting your home and family against wiring faults and power surges. They're installed in a device known by many names, including an electrical panel, breaker box or load center. It's this box that you turn to when you have a sudden power outage in one part of your home.
Types of Electrical Panels
There are a variety of circuit breaker boxes that you can find for different homes and electrical installations.
Main Breaker Panels
These boxes contain a main breaker that can shut off power for all the circuits in an installation. The main breaker load center needs to have an amperage capacity high enough to handle all the currents your home will need and can only be fitted when the panel is within ten feet of the meter and feeder cable.
Main Lug Panels
These panels don't contain a main breaker and need to be wired up to a separate disconnect breaker that is usually connected directly to the meter. Main lug panels can be fitted any distance from your main supply inlet.
Subpanels
Like main lug panels, subpanels don't have a main breaker and are used to bring together circuits for different parts of an installation. For example, all circuits on the ground floor may be grouped together for convenience, with other floors having their own subpanel.
Breaker Panel Amps
Each electrical panel is rated with the total current it can carry, measured in amps. If you're replacing your current load center, you should use at least the same amperage rating to prevent overload problems. It's often better to upgrade to a higher amperage that can support higher power use.
However, for safety reasons, it's important not to have a panel with a higher amperage than your home's wiring can support. We stock breaker boxes with amperages up to 200 amps and more, so you can make the right choice for your needs.
How Many Volts Are in a Panel?
The voltage of a breaker box decides which kinds of circuit breakers can be fitted. With a 120V panel, only single-pole breakers can be used. A 240V panel can use two-pole breakers to protect circuits needing more power.
Number of Circuits
The larger your home, the more electrical circuits it's likely to have. We stock panels that can protect anything from single-digit circuits and above, enough for most homes.
What is a Transfer Switch Used For?
A transfer switch is a load panel accessory that connects a second supply to the main circuit. One common use for a transfer switch is to wire an emergency generator to your home if the main supply is down.
We also stock a range of accessories for fitting and maintaining your electrical panel, including:
- Ground bar kits
- Filler plates
- Power outlet and inlet boxes
Shop Breaker Boxes at Ace Hardware
Replacing or upgrading your home's electrical panel is a major job and it's vital to get it right. Shop electrical panels at Ace, as well as a range of accessories for fitting and maintaining your breaker boxes, including ground bar kits, filler plates, power outlet and inlet boxes, and more. If you need any advice on choosing a breaker panel or other electrical parts like fuses or meter bases, our knowledgeable staff is here to help. Shop online or in stores today for electrical panels from Eaton, GE and other brands.
