INFORMATION SHEET: 1

What to Know About the Various Types of Electrical Boxes?

 Plastic and metal electrical boxes. Most boxes are either made of plastic or metal. ...
 Rectangular boxes. ...
 Two-gang, three-gang, and four-gang boxes. ...
 Round pan boxes. ...
 Junction boxes. ...
 Round and octagon boxes. ...
 Ceiling fan-rated boxes.

What is the main power box called?

Electrical panels go by many names: breaker panels, load centers, service panels or breaker
boxes. It's the steel box that holds your home's circuit breakers. When needed, the circuit
breakers turn off or “trip” the circuits that carry power throughout your home.

A breaker box also called a circuit breaker panel, or electrical panel, is an important part of a
home's electrical system. It contains circuit breakers that control the flow of electricity in the
home. It also provides the main switch that can be used to shut off all power in an emergency.

Difference between the breaker box and electrical

panel
When it comes to household electrical wiring, the terms breaker box and
electrical panel are often used interchangeably. However, these two pieces of
equipment are actually quite different and serve different functions in the
home. It is important to understand the difference between a breaker box and
an electrical panel so that you, or someone from a reputable electrical
company in Calgary, can properly identify and maintain your home’s electrical
system.
Find out the difference between a breaker box and an electrical panel, and
what they each do for your home and what they provide.

What is a breaker box?

A breaker box is a device used in homes and commercial buildings that
houses the main electrical switch. It protects against electrical overloads,
ensuring no circuit gets too much power and shuts off automatically if an
overload occurs. Breakers come in various shapes and sizes, but all typically
consist of an insulated metal enclosure containing breakers connected to an
electrical power source.
The breaker box controls the flow of electricity from the main power source to
other circuits within the home or building, protecting them from overloads.
When the breaker trips, it cuts off the flow of electricity to the specific circuit.
This can be due to an overload of electricity on that particular circuit, or it
could indicate a wiring fault or some other problem. If you experience frequent
tripping of a breaker, it’s important to call an electrical company in Calgary to
assess the issue and ensure it is properly fixed.

What is an electrical panel?

An electrical panel is the main control unit responsible for distributing
electricity to various parts of your home or building. It contains either circuit
breakers or fuses and serves as the main power source for everything in your
home, including all outlets, lights, and appliances. An electrical panel will
usually have the main power switch or breaker and multiple other switches,
each responsible for supplying power to different areas of your home.
The panel also contains wiring, which is connected to the various outlets and
light fixtures in your home. When an electrical problem arises, it can be traced
back to the electrical panel, allowing you to address the issue before further
damage is caused.
Differences
A breaker box also called a circuit breaker panel, or electrical panel, is an
important part of a home’s electrical system. It contains circuit breakers that
control the flow of electricity in the home. It also provides the main switch that
can be used to shut off all power in an emergency. On the other hand, an
electrical panel is a larger piece of equipment that contains multiple breakers
and serves as a central hub for wiring in your home. It also typically contains
fuses and fuse boxes to protect your home from electrical surges. The primary
difference is that the breaker box is designed to regulate and distribute the
electrical current. In contrast, the electrical panel is designed to protect
against power surges.

Utility box: An electrical utility box is typically a rectangular, open-faced box mounted in a
wall. It serves to house an electrical device, such as an electrical receptacle or switch or a GFI
(ground fault interrupter).

Junction box: A junction box is an electrical box used to house splices. A junction box
protects the connections inside it, prevents potential electrical shocks, and keeps sparks from
spreading to flammable surroundings.
Square box: Square boxes are viable for ceiling applications excluding fan support. Steel
square boxes may be used with all types of conduit, metal-clad cable, and nonmetallic-sheathed
cable. A switch box is commonly used to mount a switch.

Pull box: a metal box with a blank cover that is installed in an accessible place in a run of
conduit to facilitate the pulling in of wires or cables.

Pull boxes are used along with conduit to simplify wiring installation,
hence their name. They are made of sheet metal, cast metal, or a
non-metallic material, and provide a way to pull conductors long
distances without placing excessive strain on the wire or insulation.
 Panel board: A panel board is a component of an electrical distribution system which
divides an electrical power feed into branch circuits, while providing a protective circuit breaker
or fuse for each circuit, in a common enclosure. A panel board services to protect branch
circuits from overloads and short circuits.

These components include:

 Main circuit breaker. This is like the disconnection of the main electrical panel leading
into a home or office. ...
 Surge arresters. ...
 Transformers. ...
 Terminal blocks. ...
 Programmable Logic Controller (PLC). ...
 Relays and contactors. ...
 Network switches. ...
 Human Machine Interface (HMI).