Distribution Panel Board Fundamentals: Know all

Distribution Panel Board Fundamentals: Know all

Electricity is supplied to your home, which is how you are able to power up your air conditioner, television, refrigerator and switch on your lights and fans. But, do you know the intricacies of the distribution of electricity? Has it ever crossed your mind how one source of electricity can provide power to so many different appliances? If you have, this article will, hopefully, satiate your curiosity. 

What is an electrical panelboard?

An electrical panelboard, commonly known as a distribution board or breaker panel, is a vital component in an electrical system. It serves as a centralized hub for distributing electrical power within a building or facility. The panelboard houses circuit breakers or fuses that control and protect individual circuits. Through these breakers, power is distributed to various areas of the building. Panelboards play a crucial role in electrical safety by providing a convenient point for the isolation and control of circuits, facilitating maintenance, and safeguarding against overloads and short circuits. They are essential for organizing and managing the electrical supply, ensuring efficiency and safety in the overall electrical distribution system.

What is the difference between a switchboard and a panelboard?

A switchboard and a panelboard are both components of an electrical distribution system, but they serve different functions.

  • A switchboard is a larger assembly that typically handles higher voltage levels. It incorporates various devices such as switches, circuit breakers, and sometimes meters. Switchboards are commonly found in industrial settings or large commercial buildings.
  • A panelboard is a smaller, more localized unit designed for lower voltage applications. It contains circuit breakers or fuses to control and protect individual circuits within a building. Panelboards are commonly used in residential, commercial, or smaller industrial settings, providing a convenient and organized way to manage electrical circuits.

How is a distribution panelboard used?

A distribution panel board is used in multiple settings. While a single-phase distribution board may be used at home, multiple phase boards can be used in office spaces or big social gatherings where one source of power is used to operate innumerable electrical devices and appliances. 

A distribution panel board is essentially used to divide the main circuit into smaller ones. But why would you do so if it does not benefit you in any way? 

The division gives you the individual control over the circuits so that you can control a particular appliance without disrupting the function of another one which would have been the case without the panel board. Moreover, in case of an issue short circuit which requires immediate shut down of an appliance, only the required circuit can be cut off from the main supply of power without hampering the smooth functioning of the others. Circuit protection devices can do their job well with different appliances with the help of individual circuits formed due to an electronic panel board. Thus, the distribution panelboard not only gives you better control over the different circuits but also keeps you safe from electronic mishaps.

What is a distribution panel board composed of?

The miniature circuit board or MCB panelboard consists of many components like the main circuit breaker, miniature circuit breakers, residual current circuit breaker, moulded case circuit breaker, isolators, etc. 

While the main circuit breaker is used to cut off the principal supply of current from the entire circuit, the miniature circuit breakers are concerned with the smaller circuits. They are capable of detecting the slight change in the current and voltage and act accordingly. 

The residual current circuit breaker is the most sensitive of the components. It even harnesses the ability to sense when electricity is flowing into a human body or a water body. It then promptly disconnects the circuit from the main supply of power. 

The moulded case circuit breaker is more powerful than the rest. While the other may take time to act upon an emergency situation, the moulded case circuit breaker can spontaneously interrupt a huge supply of power to prevent any disaster. 

In case all of the above circuit breakers fail, the isolators come to your rescue. They can be operated manually and can be flipped out in an emergency situation where the other systems have surrendered. Isolators are useful when it comes to working on a particular circuit without affecting the others connected to the same main circuit. 

Read More: Different Types of Electrical Distribution Board

Types of special-purpose panelboards

Special-purpose panelboards cater to specific applications, each designed for unique electrical needs. Some types include:

  1. Generator Panelboards: Facilitate the connection of generators to the electrical system, ensuring a seamless power transfer during outages.
  2. Fire Pump Panelboards: Dedicated to powering and controlling fire pump motors, crucial for fire suppression systems.
  3. Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Panelboards: Manage the distribution of power generated by solar panels, integrating renewable energy into the electrical system.
  4. Motor Control Centers (MCCs): Designed for controlling and distributing power to electric motors, commonly used in industrial settings.
  5. Instrumentation Panelboards: Tailored for housing instruments and control devices, crucial in process control and automation applications.

Each type addresses specific electrical requirements, enhancing efficiency and safety in various applications.

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