A split bus panel is a single electrical panel that has two separate bus bars.

Bus bars are metal bars

inside an electrical panel that carry electrical current and hold the circuit breakers. Other electrical
panels have a single bus bar that runs the length of the electrical panel.

A split bus panel will have a large breaker on the top bus bar that feeds power to the lower bus bar. In
addition, the top bus bar is responsible for larger appliances. The other, typically holds breakers for
general lighting in the home.

Split Bus Panel Diagram & Identification

Here is how a split bus panel differs from a general electrical panel.

How To Identify A Split Bus Panel

Our Inspector, Wilmer, teaches us how to identify a split bus panel without taking the electrical panel
cover off.

How Does A Split Bus Panel Work?

As shown in the diagram and in the video, a split bus panel has two bus bars. The top bus bar typically
feeds electrical current to large appliances and holds 6 breakers. One of the 6 breakers is then used to
feed the lower bus bar electrical current. The lower bus bar is typically responsible for general lighting
and outlets in the home.

The “Six Throw” Rule

The National Electrical Code states you must be able to shut off the electrical power with a maximum
number of six breakers or throws. In a split bus panel, there is no main shut-off. Instead, there are 5
large breakers supplying large appliances, then one that supplies electrical current for the rest of the
home.

Sometimes, split bus panels could have more than 6 throws to turn off all of the electrical power in the
home. If that is the case, the electrical panel would be out of code.