3 Main Components Of Residential Electrical Systems You Need To Know
If you're a homeowner, you should have a good understanding of how your electricity works. Having this knowledge will make you confident if any problem arises. Residential electrical systems have many components. Read on to know the three main ones.
The Service Panel
The service panel is the main distribution point in the electrical system. It contains circuit breakers with red and black wires running to each breaker. It also has a grounding bar, neutral bar, and a bonding wire that connects the main service panel to metal water pipes. This panel is usually installed in the garage, cellar, or outside your home directly behind an electrical outlet. When you flip a switch to turn on an appliance or light, you're authorizing power to flow from the circuit breaker or fuse that controls it.
Larger houses may have more than one service panel. The main panel in the largest area of your home is called the "main distribution center," while the smaller panels are called "sub-panels." Each panel has a specific purpose, and they're usually labeled to enable you to know where each circuit goes. The main distribution center usually supplies power to the entire house, while sub-panels provide power for sections of the home.
The Wiring System
This system is key to powering appliances and lighting. It includes cables running through walls, ceilings, and floors from the junction boxes. Wiring systems are designed according to electrical codes and require professionals to install. Knowing the location of your home's wiring will make it easy to replace light bulbs or fixtures. It's advisable to let an electrician handle this job because doing it yourself may lead to faulty installations and increase fire risks.
To minimize accidents and electrocutions, wires are usually color-coded and insulated. This makes it easier for contractors to identify where the wires go when working on the home's electrical system. The circuit breaker panel is an important part of the wiring system because it allows you to control electricity flow in your house and protects appliances and users from short circuits.
The Meter
The electricity that comes into your home passes through the meter. It measures how much energy you use in a billing period. This allows for accurate calculations about what type of bills you will receive each month based on where and when appliances were used and at what capacity. It's often enclosed in a meter box located on your exterior wall. The box protects it and comes in green, gray, or black colors.
Residential electrical systems are an integral part of homes. But if you want to be safe, you should understand how they work. This will help you to take care of and maintain your home's electrical system.