From the course: Electrical Systems: Panel Boards, Frequency Drives, and Transformers

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Introduction to panelboards

Introduction to panelboards

From the course: Electrical Systems: Panel Boards, Frequency Drives, and Transformers

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Introduction to panelboards

- [Instructor] In most buildings, including homes, electricity is distributed from larger power sources to smaller, individual loads and utilization equipment using components called panelboards, load centers, or switchboards. These components are very similar in look and function but have some variations that we will discuss. All three have an enclosure, they have incoming power section, including conductor terminals. They all have some sort of bus system, which is a solid piece of conductor, usually aluminum or copper, that distributes the power to the smaller loads. And they have some sort of over current protection, such as a circuit breaker or fuses. And a connection point or terminal for the outgoing, smaller circuits. While many of these are designed for installation indoors, in dry locations, some are located outdoors or in wet locations, and they have special enclosures suited for that application to keep the elements away from live electrical parts.

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