Selecting the Right Electrical Panelboard for Your Application
Electrical Panelboards are a crucial part of every electronic or electrical system. They are the conductor for electricity and also provide a safe and protective ground for them. In large establishments they are present on all the electrical circuits to ensure safety and reliability of the system. The main components in an Electrical Panelboard are the Body, the Connector, the commutator, the terminal unit, terminals, and the Insulation. All these components work together to provide a safe and secure power distribution.
Custom manufactured by hand from a single piece of wood. As per the requirement, a Panelboard can be single-sided or double-sided, and have different thicknesses. For heavy duty industrial application, there are twin-shaft electrical panelboards having heavy gauge copper wire, heavy-duty transformers and power distribution transformers. These heavy-duty transformers protect the electrical circuits and deliver a consistent voltage at high efficiency. Panels and transformers used for commercial applications also differ from residential electrical panelboards in the manner they are manufactured, the number of terminals and the insulation.
There are two different types of electrical panelboards available. The first one is a full circuit breaker panelboard. This electrical panelboard has all the features of the normal electrical panelboards. It has a heavy gauge copper wire and high-density fiberboard for greater strength, flexibility and durability. This type of panelboard must have a circuit breaker to provide the protection against shock and voltage fuses.
Then there is the full distribution panelboard. This one has all the features of full-circuit panelboard but is larger in size. This larger size enables it to handle heavy loads. The wiring system in full distribution panelboards is normally long and complicated, with multiple pairs of wires and terminal connections, in addition to some kind of switchgear. Electrical switchboards used in residential applications are smaller than the full-sized ones.
Electrical panelboard mounting is a very important aspect. You should mount your panelboard at least 50mm above the floor. If you have mounted your panelboard at a higher level, then the overcurrent devices can reach the bottom of the box. These overcurrent devices can create unexpected spikes in the voltage, which can damage or even kill your power tools.
The next thing you need to consider is the current rating of your panelboard. The current rating of your panelboards will determine the maximum load that your panelboard can support safely. The load centers of electric circuit breakers are referred to as the forward circuit break point and the load centers of your load centers are referred to as the load center resistive. Your panelboard’s load center resistive load centers are also referred to as the forward break point or the neutral point. Make sure that your panelboard’s load centers are designed in compliance with national electrical safety standards.
Another factor that you need to take into consideration is the location of your panelboard relative to any obstructions such as wall studs, ceiling joists or air conditioner vents. The overbearing load could cause damage to your electrical equipment. Overcurrent protection is important in many new electrical equipment but some older equipment requires additional precautions for overcurrent protection. Older panelboards can be damaged when placed in an area that experiences a lot of humidity.
Electrical panelboards can be manufactured in different sizes and configurations. Some companies sell full-size, modular or cabinet-mounted electrical switchboards. Modular and cabinet-mounted panelboards are manufactured in standard dimensions so that they can easily be incorporated into the power distribution system. Full-size and modular panelboards are often used in commercial applications where the overbreadths of the equipment may not be needed. Cabinet-mounted panels are ideal for domestic applications and are generally less expensive than the full-size varieties.