What is the role of a service panel in a home?

The service panel, also known as the breaker panel or distribution board, plays a vital role in a home’s electrical system. Its primary function is to distribute electrical power throughout the house. It allows electricity from the utility service to be routed to various circuits for use in different rooms and appliances.

In addition to distribution, the service panel includes circuit breakers or fuses that provide protection against overloads and short circuits. These protective devices help prevent potential electrical fires and damage to the electrical system by interrupting the flow of electricity in the event of a fault. This combination of power distribution and circuit protection is essential to ensure that the electrical system operates safely and effectively.

While measuring electrical output, transforming voltages, or monitoring usage are important functions within an electrical system, they are not roles handled by the service panel itself. Instead, devices like watt meters or transformers serve those specific purposes, but the service panel is fundamentally focused on supplying and safeguarding the electrical circuits within a home.