Most homeowners know the basics of a residential electrical system. However, there are a number of components that is still unfamiliar to most homeowners. The more a homeowner knows about their electrical system, the better they can maintain and care for this essential part of every home. Burley Electrical Services would like to break down the primary components of a home electrical system.

Electrical Meter

Every home will have an electrical meter which measures the amount of electricity the home electrical system has used. The electrical meter tells the energy company how much to charge you. This ensures that everyone pays only for the of electricity they use. However, the electrical meter can help the homeowner in another way. When your electrical reading tells you that you have been using more power than average, this can then warn the homeowner that there is a problem. Some of the common reasons for a higher power bill can be due to a failing HVAC system or other major appliance. If you notice a higher energy usage than is normal, and you haven’t changed your electrical usage, you will want to begin investigating your home’s major appliances.

Main Electrical Panel

The main electrical panel, also known as the panelboard or a breaker box, is one component most homeowners are familiar with. The main electrical panel houses all of the circuit breakers. Connecting to the main electrical panel you will find two large wires known as lugs. The lug is what supplies the main electrical panel and all the breakers and circuits with power. The main electrical panels are located either inside the garage, inside the home such as inside a closet, or outside along the outside of the home. Along with the electrical panel, it is common for homes to have a branch circuit breaker box which is similar to the main electrical panel. Branch circuit breaker boxes are used when you separate the electrical system.

Circuit Breakers

There are many circuits that run throughout a home. At the end of each circuit is the breaker. The breaker provides the proper amount of electricity to flow through each circuit. If an anomaly is detected, the breaker will trip, cutting off power to the circuit. The breaker is an essential piece to the home electrical safety system.

Disconnect Switch

Part of every home’s electrical system is the disconnect switch. As the name implies, there is a switch that turns off all the power to the home. The disconnect switch is very useful, such as you need to prevent electrical problems during a storm or when you need to work on the home’s electrical system. The disconnect switch is most often found next to the electrical meter.

Electrical Wiring Inspections & More in Pompano Beach, Imperial Point, Plantation, Deerfield Beach, Boca Raton, Davie, Lighthouse Point, Parkland & Fort Lauderdale, Florida

There are many other basic part of a home’s electrical system such as the outlets, lights or dimming switches that connect to the light fixtures. Hopefully with a better understanding of a home electrical system, homeowners will be able to better monitor and seek professional electrical repairs when a problem occurs. For quality electrical services contact Burley Electrical Services today.