We are all fortunate to live in a country where a vast majority of people have access to electrical power. The very fact that most people can’t imagine life without electricity is a testament to how common this power source has become in America. And yet despite the fact that nearly everyone has electricity at home, only a very few number of people actually know how residential electrical systems work. That’s why we wrote this article to help you understand the wires, breakers, outlets, and circuits that make up your home’s electrical system. As a word of caution, just because you know how electrical systems work doesn’t mean you should work on them. Be sure to contact a residential electrician in Columbus for all your home electrical needs.
Electrical Service
The electrical system starts with the electrical service, or the actual electricity supplied to your home. The electrical service must be sized to accommodate your lifestyle and the size of your home. Most residential electrical services are between 100 and 200 amps, though 400 amps is common for very large homes. Only a licensed electrical contractor can install the electrical service to your home.
Electric Panel Board
The electrical lines are run from the street to the meter box outside your home and then directly into the electric panel board. Also known as the electrical panel or breaker box, this board has breakers that control the electricity in each room. The electrical panel is a very important safety feature. Individual circuits shutdown automatically when they overheat or surge and “trip” the breaker in the box, which prevents dangerous electrical fires and other electrical emergencies.
Standalone Electrical Circuit
If you have new appliances or high-powered electronics, your electrician may recommend having a standalone electrical circuit installed to handle the excess power load. A separate circuit with its own service panel is ideal for air conditioners, electric kitchen ranges, commercial-quality appliances, home theater systems, and other high-powered electronics and appliances. Contact your Columbus electrician about installing a separate electrical circuit.
