As a homeowner, it’s important to be knowledgeable of the various different systems throughout your home. You don’t need to be an expert and understand every particular component. However, it can be important to understand the basics, such as the difference between a breaker box and a panel box.
What Is a Breaker Box?
Your breaker box is where power flows in from the main power line outside. Your breaker box is responsible for distributing that power across various circuits that power things like outlets, light switches, and appliances throughout your home. Your breaker box is easily distinguishable as it’s going to be the main box that houses all your circuit breakers and circuit labels. It should have one main switch at the top that will kill the power to your entire home when necessary.
Breaker boxes are ideal for providing a concise way of organizing and managing your electrical circuits. They offer the ability to shut off individual circuits when maintenance is necessary. Breaker boxes are considered a very reliable electrical device for homes and buildings alike.
What Is an Electrical Panel Box?
An electrical panel box is very similar to a breaker box in the sense that it connects to the main power supply outside and distributes power via circuits. The main difference is that a panel box is more elaborate than a traditional breaker box. A breaker box is a simpler version.
A panel box can house many different features like bus bars, ground bars, and neutral bars. It also houses various safety devices like surge protectors, ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs), and arc fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs). Because of these awesome features, panel boxes offer more versatility for your home. They do come in a larger size than traditional breaker boxes because of their extra features.
Electrical panel boxes are designed to handle larger electrical loads than traditional breaker boxes. This attribute makes them an ideal choice when it comes to expanding to meet your future electrical needs. Furthermore, because panel boxes house safety devices, like surge protectors, they provide more safety for the home or building than a breaker box does.
Where Are Breaker and Panels Boxes Installed?
Both types of electrical boxes must be installed in a dry environment. Typically, interior installation is ideal for homeowners. However, it’s important to note that some local municipalities are changing building codes to have these electrical boxes installed on the outside of homes. This is to allow easier access to emergency personnel when issues like home fires happen.
While it’s necessary to follow local code requirements, there are various locations where you can install your panel or breaker box if there are no particular specifications in your local ordinances. These include basements, garages, utility closets, hallways near your home’s exterior, and even kitchen pantries.
Installation and Upkeep
Both breaker boxes and panel boxes need to be installed by a licensed electrician. This helps ensure optimal safety and correct installation techniques. It’s also important to note that many local municipalities will require that only a licensed electrician is eligible to obtain a permit to do the installation of the box.
When it comes to repair and maintenance, both boxes are going to be fairly similar. Because electrical panel boxes house more components, they can be a bit more complex to repair than simple breaker boxes. Both styles of electrical boxes need to receive regular inspections to stay in tip-top condition. The frequency of your inspections will vary depending on the age of your electrical system.
Common Issues You May Experience
No matter how well you keep up with regular care and maintenance, it’s likely that your breaker box may experience a malfunction or two over its usable life span. Some of the most common signs of a breaker box malfunction include burning odors, burn marks on the box itself, corrosion, and frequently tripping circuit breakers. A panel box can experience many of the same issues that a breaker box does.
The Various Pros and Cons of a Breaker Box
Breaker boxes are much less expensive than panel boxes, making them a great purchase for smaller homes where you’re operating with a very low budget. Their very small design is great for compact installation spaces. One of the drawbacks of a breaker box is that it doesn’t offer as much monitoring and safety as panel boxes. Additionally, breaker boxes have a set number of breakers with no room for additions.
The Many Benefits and Drawbacks of a Panel Box
An electrical panel box offers the ability for future expansion by providing additional spaces for new circuit breakers to be installed. A panel box not only offers a main disconnect switch but allows for multiple other forms of safety devices to protect your home. These include things like GFCIs and AFCIs. One of the bigger drawbacks of an electrical panel box is that it can be more expensive to install. It can also take up much more space than the smaller, simpler breaker boxes.
Operation Life Span
Both breaker and panel boxes will have a finite life span of around 25 to 40 years. However, the overall life span of your panel or breaker box will be highly dependent on numerous factors. These include things like the number of regular inspections and maintenance visits it receives and the humidity of the environment that it’s placed in.
Top Signs That It’s Time to Upgrade Your Electrical Box
As a homeowner, it’s important to be on the lookout for the key signs that your electrical panel or breaker box may need to be replaced with a new one. These include burnt wiring, corrosion on the box’s housing, obsolete circuit breakers, scorch marks, frequently tripping circuit breakers, and buzzing or hissing noises coming from the box. It’s important to have an electrician evaluate your box and replace it swiftly for optimal household safety.
A Note About Subpanel Boxes
Apart from breaker boxes and panel boxes, there is one other type of electrical box that you may hear about when it comes to your electrical system. This is a subpanel box. It’s very important to note that this particular box gets installed further along the electrical circuit.
A subpanel box is responsible for further distributing power from a singular electrical circuit. This is a small metal box that has a single lever that can be turned on or off. Subpanel boxes are used to help handle complex circuit issues. These include things like home additions, high-demand appliances, and a detached garage. With a subpanel box, you can independently control the items on the circuit from the convenience of your subpanel box without having to go to the main electrical panel box.
Helpful Electrical Panel Service
Green Dot Heating & Air offers helpful electrical panel service to the Wilmington, NC area. We can also help with all your electrical repair, generator, and wiring and rewiring needs. Simply call us today to book your next electrical service appointment.
