Electrical Service Entrance Box

Where electrical power enters a building or other source the national electrical code nec requires electrical distribution equipment rated as service entrance such service equipment usually consists of one main breaker disconnect or space for up to 6 main disconnects.

Electrical service entrance box.

Fuse box fuse panel circuit breaker panel today most homes have what is officially called the electrical service panel or simply the service panel a circuit breaker panel is not exactly the same as the fuse box because it has mechanical toggle switch circuit breakers not fuses but. Get free shipping on qualified electrical boxes conduit fittings or buy online pick up in store today in the electrical department. Service raceway the conduit containing the service entrance conductors. Electric service panels have a number of different names.

The main service panel is the distribution center that splits the main electrical service into individual branch circuits that run through your home to power the lights outlets and individual appliances. The service drop illustrated in figure 1 has two 120v lines and a neutral conductor. Service entrance strap zinc plated steel se and seu cable 3 3 0 and 4 0 cable. Abandoned sec cables may not have been properly disconnected electrocution hazard.

When needed the circuit breakers turn off or trip the circuits that carry power throughout your home. The three lines may be independent conductors or housed in a three conductor cable called a triplex cable as shown in the figure. Well connected to service entrance cable sec frayed sec cables expose inner wiring to damage or deterioration and are a source of water entry in the electrical meter box as well as into electrical panels if the panel is located lower than the sec. It s the steel box that holds your home s circuit breakers.

Service entrance equipment the service entrance conductors raceway and fittings or service entrance cable and fittings which are installed on the customer s premises to connect the electric service to the wiring inside the building. The main service panel is usually a gray metal box located somewhere along the inside surface of an exterior wall. The service entrance equipment includes the meter meter base outside disconnect and the mast. You should not locate a box on the opposite side of the home from the meter.

What the main service panel does. In general this restriction in the nec encourages you to determine the circuit breaker box location and from that determine the service entrance equipment location. Electrical panels go by many names.