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The central hub of the electrical system for most people's homes is the breaker box. It contains a series of breakers that connect to various circuits throughout the house. If you are like most people, your primary experience with a breaker box is looking for it in the dark when a breaker has flipped, and the electricity is out. Therefore, you may have questions about the subject. Below are answers to a few of the most common.

FAQ About Breaker Boxes

What is a breaker box?

The breaker box contains a series of fuses or breakers. If the system receives an overload of electricity, the fuses will break, and the breakers will trip, despite the name. The box and its contents guard your system against power surges and short circuits by shutting off the electrical current and preventing the overload from damaging appliances, overheating the wires, or starting a fire.

Breaker boxesWhat's the difference between a fuse & a breaker?

Both methods interrupt circuit flow when a fault is detected. However, a fuse is designed to melt when overheated. Therefore, it is not reusable, and you must replace it with a new fuse. However, a circuit breaker has an internal switch that trips when it detects a fault. Once the overflow is no longer present, you can reset the switch manually to return the power to the circuit.

How many circuit breakers are in a breaker box?

The number of breakers depends on the size of the box, the complexity of your system, and the number of circuits in your house. It could contain dozens or only a handful.

How big are the circuits for each breaker?

Each breaker controls a circuit of wires connected to several switches, lights, and outlets. Typically, each circuit encompasses one or two rooms, although rooms with high electricity needs—like the kitchen or laundry room—may require multiple breakers.

 

If you need to repair or install a breaker box in your home, contact RM Electrical, a residential and commercial electrician in Belleville, IL. They are family-owned and -operated and have served clients throughout St. Clair, Madison, and Monroe Counties since 2008. They specialize in electrical wiring and repair and are skilled at wiring home additions and renovations. Visit their website to see or a list of their services, or call (618) 939-0422 to arrange a consultation.

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