Everything but the incoming utility power can be shut off and turned on at the main service panel.
With the door open, you might access all thecircuit breakersin the panel.
Each circuit breaker is controlled with a lever that can be set manually to an ON or OFF position.
The Spruce / Hilary Allison
Breakers should belabeledto identify the main area or appliance served by the breaker’s circuit.
And that’s as far as most homeowners need to go.
The dead front cover is typically held in place with a screw in each corner.
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Removing the cover provides access to all components of the panel.
It controls all the power of thebranchcircuit breakers (the breakers controlling individual circuits) in the panel.
However, some systems include a separatedisconnect switchbetween the meter and the panel.
The standard for new panels today is 200 amps, but panels can have an even higher capacity.
Double-polecircuit breakersprovide 240 volts to a circuit and snap into both hot bus bars.
The electrical current leaves the service panel through the hot wires that are connected to the circuit breakers.
The bar connects to the main service neutral and returns the current back to the electric utility grid.
In this case, it is often referred to as aneutral/ground bus bar.
Another ground connection is made by thegrounding electrode conductoror GEC.
Circuit Breakers
The circuit breaker is the weak link in each electrical circuit.
But that’s a good thing, as it’s designed to fail safely.
National Fire Protection Association.
Published May 21, 2021.
