Trystan Casey
Electrical panels are the nerve center of electrical systems, responsible for distributing and managing power in homes, businesses, and industrial settings. They are also known as breaker panels, panel boards, and distribution boards. There are several types of electrical panels, each serving a unique purpose and catering to different environments and power requirements. The choice of electrical panel is critical for safety and efficiency, and the right panel should be selected based on factors such as application, electrical components, and budget. This variety of options ensures that diverse electrical needs can be met, from residential to large commercial and industrial areas.
Characteristics and Values of Electric Boards
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Application | Residential, commercial, and industrial |
| Types | Breaker panel, panel board, distribution board, main breaker box, fuse box, lug panels, subpanels, automatic power factor control (APFC) panels, automatic mains failure (AMF) panels |
| Function | Power distribution, control, and management |
| Components | Circuit breakers, switches, fuses, busbars, neutral bars, ground bars, enclosures |
| Safety | Short Circuit Current Rating (SCCR), UL listing, CSA certification mark, GFCI or RCD switches |
| Size | Varies depending on the application and requirements |
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Circuit breakers
There are three main types of circuit breakers: standard, GFCI, and AFCI. Standard circuit breakers monitor amp capacity and are either single- or double-pole. They are the most common breakers used in homes, protecting one energised wire and supplying 120V to a circuit, with amp handling capacities ranging from 15 to 30. Double-pole breakers occupy two slots on a breaker panel, protecting two energised wires and supplying 120V/240V or 240V to a circuit, with capacities ranging from 15 to 200 amps. They are required for large appliances.
Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) breakers cut power to the entire circuit when tripped by an overload of current, a short circuit, or a line-to-ground fault. They are required in all 125-volt, single-phase, 15- and 20-ampere receptacles in locations such as basements, hallways, kitchens, and bedrooms.
Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI) breakers protect against unintentional electrical discharge in wiring or appliances that could cause a fire. They sense the abnormal path of the electrical jump and instantly disconnect the damaged circuit before it can catch fire.
Other types of circuit breakers include Magnetic Circuit Breakers, which use a solenoid (electromagnet) to respond to current increases, and Thermal-Magnetic Circuit Breakers, which are the most common type in Europe and incorporate both magnetic and thermal techniques to respond to current surges.
There are also specialised breakers for unique applications, such as Air Circuit Breakers (ACBs), Residual Current Circuit Breakers (RCCBs), and Miniature Circuit Breakers (MCBs).
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Busbars
Electric busbars are metallic bars, strips, tubes, or rods that conduct current from one place to another with minimal energy loss. They are used to streamline multiple electrical connections, acting as a central link or hub for numerous incoming and outgoing electrical currents. Busbars are commonly used instead of wires or cables for high-current power distribution, high-voltage equipment, and low-voltage battery applications. They are also used in power electronics and electric vehicles due to their thin form factor, light weight, and rigidity.
In summary, busbars are essential in electrical systems, serving as a central gathering point for electrical power distribution and offering benefits such as cost reduction, enhanced protection, and adaptability to various voltage ranges.
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Load centres
In larger commercial and industrial locations, panel boards are typically used instead of load centres. Panel boards can handle a more extensive array of circuits and are strategically placed in control rooms or dedicated electrical spaces to cater to the power needs of different building areas.
Other types of electrical panels include Automatic Power Factor Control (APFC) panels, which are used to improve a system's power factor and boost efficiency, and Automatic Mains Failure (AMF) panels, which measure the failure of the main power supply and automatically turn on a backup power source.
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Main distribution boards
Electrical panels are the nerve centre of every electrical system, responsible for the distribution and management of power in homes, businesses, and industrial settings. An electrical panel goes by many names, including breaker panel, panel board, distribution board, load centre, switchboard, and main distribution board (MDB).
The main distribution board in an installation will also normally provide a main switch (known as an incomer) that switches the phase and neutral lines for the whole supply. MDBs are essential when you need to safely manage high electricity demand across multiple areas or floors.
Sub-distribution boards (SDBs) are smaller versions of the main board and are ideal for controlling electricity supply to smaller areas or sections of a building, such as different floors or wings. They connect to the MDB and distribute electricity to specific sections without disrupting the whole building.
Fuse boxes are a classic type of distribution board that uses fuses to protect the circuits instead of circuit breakers. They were commonly used in homes built from 1940 to 1965 and are still found in older buildings. In the case of an overload, the fuse blows and needs to be replaced.
The choice of electrical panel is critical for the safety and efficiency of an electrical system. It is important to consider factors such as load capacity, environment (residential, commercial, or industrial), safety features, and future scalability when selecting the right type of distribution board.
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Motor control cabinets
Motor control centres (MCCs) are a critical component in electrical power distribution systems. They are used to control and protect electric motors and are commonly found in factories, workshops, and other industrial facilities. MCCs contain all the necessary components to start, stop, and control the speed of motors, as well as protect them in case of overload or short circuit.
MCCs consist of one or more vertical metal cabinet sections with a power bus and provision for plug-in mounting of individual motor controllers. Each motor controller contains a contactor or solid-state motor controller, overload relays, fuses or a circuit breaker, and a disconnecting switch. Three-phase power enters each controller through separable connectors, and the motor is wired to terminals in the controller. MCCs provide wire ways for field control and power cables.
The size and capacity of an MCC can vary depending on the type and power of the motor it controls. They can be supplied ready for the customer to connect all field wiring, or they can be engineered assemblies with internal control and interlocking wiring to a central control terminal panel board or programmable controller. MCCs are typically installed in a control room for easy access and maintenance and usually sit on floors, which often have a fire-resistance rating.
MCCs offer improved safety by centralizing motor controls, reducing the need for human contact with the motors and minimizing associated risks. They also provide enhanced efficiency by precisely controlling motor speeds and consuming less power during periods of lower demand. Integrating variable-frequency drives (VFDs) and other smart devices into MCCs can result in significant energy savings. Additionally, MCCs are designed with maintenance simplicity in mind, allowing easy access to control units and components.
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