Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Understanding Panel Switches and Panel Boards

Electrical components are a part of our everyday lives in both residential and commercial use.  The problem is that most of us don’t understand the basic concepts that are used within the industry.  This leads to inefficiency and delay when an electrical system fails and is in need of repair.  Having a basic understanding of the various electrical components that are used in everyday life will help in cases of a system failure.  The more you know the easier it will be to help come to a resolution to get the system restored. 

One component that is often ignored is the panel board even though they are used throughout in providing electricity in residential, commercial and industrial facilities.  Without the panel board, often referred to as the power distribution panel, electrical power could not safely be distributed through the facility be it your home or business. 

In residential use the power we receive is purchased from a local utility company and is processed into our homes through a meter device located on the outside of our homes.  The power enters the system and is distributed from there to various circuit systems throughout the home.  This is how electrical power is distributed to various parts of the house to power electrical outlets, lights and appliances that are located throughout the house.

In commercial and industrial settings the power distribution is a bit more complex.  The system is complex and consists of a device to measure power consumption, disconnects, switching devices, conductors and transformers.  The power is then distributed through various switchboards, transformers and panel boards.  A distribution system that is solid and works well is something that doesn’t just happened it is planned out and carefully put together.  The distribution center must be engineered carefully in order to safely and adequately provide electrical services to the current electrical load and possible expansion. 

A panel board is a single panel or group of panel units that forms a single unit of bus plugs, switches and over current devices.  They are used to control light, heat or power circuits.  They are often placed in a cabinet or a cutout box and can be mounted in or against a wall.  The panel board is only accessible from the front. 

Electrical components such as transformers, switches, breaker panels, panel boards and more are a part of our everyday lives.  They are hidden and as long as we are receiving uninterrupted supplies of electricity we aren’t concerned with how it is occurring.  This is incredibly naive though because we know that any system with multiple components will eventually break down and need to be replaced.  With a little bit of knowledge of electrical components and electrical systems you will be well on your way to understanding what part of the puzzle has broken down.  This will help you narrow down what needs to be replaced within the system to fix the issue.  

J&P Electrical is a full service electrical equipment company.  At J&P, we supply contractors, end users and supply houses with new surplus, quality reconditioned and obsolete electrical equipment. Contact us today at https://jpelectricalcompany.com for all of your bus plug, circuit breaker, switchboard, fuses, disconnects and more.

Thursday, February 19, 2015

Understanding Fuses Within Electrical Components

There is a lot to learn about the various electrical components that are used throughout residential and commercial buildings.  Many older homes and businesses use wiring and electrical systems that require the use of fuses.  The one thing to remember when it comes to fuse systems is that you never want to use a fuse that has an amperage rating that is higher than what is specified for the system.  To test fuse continuity you will want to use a multi tester.  Take the multi tester and press one end to the center contact while the other one is pressed to the screw shell.

It is important to understand the variety of fuses available and to be able to identify them in case you ever need to replace one.  Fuses are used in automobiles, appliances, circuit breakers and a variety of other electrical components around both residential and commercial settings.

The most common type of fuse is a low voltage fuse.  You will see low voltage fuses used in many electronic appliances and entertainment gadgets.  This type of fuse is available in ratings up to twenty amperes.  A fuse of this type can signal a short circuit in the wiring system or a system overload.

Standard plug fuses are the type of fuses used most often in service panels.  Most often standard plug fuses are used to power small appliances and basic lighting fixtures.  You will find standard plug fuses in amperes ratings of fifteen, twenty and thirty.  This is dependent upon the gauge of the wire that is found in the circuit.  As with a low voltage fuse, standard plug fuses are used t signal a short in the system as well as an overloaded circuit. 

Another common fuse used in residential service panels is a time delay fuse. Similar to a standard plug fuse, time delay fuses come in amperes with ratings of fifteen, twenty and thirty.  The unique quality of time delay fuses is that they can withstand a small power surge, such as a startup of a motor.  They are the fuses used to signal short circuits, circuits that are overloaded and sustained circuits.

A type-s fuse is used for powering up small light fixtures and small appliances.  There is only a slight difference between type-s fuses and the standard plug fuse is that the type-s fuse can guard against the accidental installation of a fuse that has an amperage rating to high for the circuit.  This type of fuse fits an adapter that screws into a service panel.  The adapter only fits into type-s fuses with matching amperage.

The ferrule type cartridge is used in fuse type service panels.  They are used to power major appliances and are available in ratings up to sixty amperes that suit the gauge of wire in the circuit.  The fuse can withstand a small surge, can signal a circuit that has become overloaded, a short or sustained circuit.

The last type of fuse to discuss is the knife blade cartridge fuse.  This is the type of fuse used when more than sixty amperes are needed to protect the electrical system of homes.  The knife blade cartridge fuse can withstand momentary power surges.


J&P Electrical is a full service electrical equipment company.  At J&P, we supply contractors, end users and supply houses with new surplus, quality reconditioned and obsolete electrical equipment. Contact us today at https://jpelectricalcompany.com for all of your bus plug, circuit breaker, switchboard, fuses, disconnects and more.