Upgrade Guide for Toronto Electrical Panels
An electrical panel — also called a breaker panel, service panel, or distribution board — is the central hub that distributes electricity throughout your home or building. An electrical panel is a metal box (usually mounted on a wall in a utility room, basement, or garage) that houses circuit breakers or fuses. It connects the main power line from your utility company to all the individual circuits in your property.
Main Functions
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Power Distribution
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The panel takes electricity from the main service line (usually 120/240 volts in homes) and divides it into multiple circuits that power lights, outlets, and appliances.
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Circuit Protection
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Each circuit has a breaker that automatically shuts off (or “trips”) if the electrical load is too high or if there’s a short circuit — preventing overheating and fires.
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System Organization
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Every breaker is labelled to show which part of the house it controls (e.g., “Kitchen outlets,” “Washer,” “Living room lights”).
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Key Components
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Main Breaker:
Controls the power to the entire panel; can shut off electricity to the whole building. -
Circuit Breakers:
Smaller switches that protect individual circuits. -
Bus Bars:
Metal strips inside the panel that distribute power from the main breaker to each circuit. -
Grounding Bar:
Provides a safe path for stray electricity in case of faults. -
Neutral Bar:
Returns current to the electrical source to complete the circuit.
Types of Electrical Panels
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Main Breaker Panel – The most common type in modern homes; includes a built-in main shutoff breaker.
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Subpanel – A smaller panel connected to the main panel, often used for garages, additions, or secondary buildings.
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Fuse Box – Found in older homes; uses replaceable fuses instead of resettable breakers.
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Smart Electrical Panel – Modern version that allows remote monitoring and energy management through apps.
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