{"id":6636,"date":"2022-01-20T13:50:26","date_gmt":"2022-01-20T13:50:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rgelectric.net\/?p=6636"},"modified":"2022-01-20T13:50:27","modified_gmt":"2022-01-20T13:50:27","slug":"how-to-read-your-circuit-breaker-panel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rgelectric.net\/blog\/how-to-read-your-circuit-breaker-panel\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Read Your Circuit Breaker Panel"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

How to Read Your Circuit Breaker Panel<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

A circuit breaker panel or a “breaker box” is a nest of electricity received outside and distributed through your home. This mysterious, usually gray box is the reason we can enjoy watching TV, turning on the lights, doing laundry, and many other things, which are impossible without electrical power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

People never care about their circuit breaker panels until they experience electrical issues. And often, when opening a metal door of the box, they get perplexed by dozens of small switches. For example, you have a problem; you plug in a dryer in a bedroom outlet, but it doesn’t work. So how to read your breaker box panel to reveal and fix the issue?  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

let’s start with the basics. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Locating Your Breaker Box Panel<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Most breaker boxes are found outside the house. But they can also be installed in a utility room, basement, storage room, or garage. If you live in an apartment, it can be in a cupboard or hallway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Metal Door<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes it’s difficult to locate a breaker panel as it can be recessed into the wall. But if you see a mate gray color door that looks like a metal cabinet, congratulations, you\u2019ve found it! Now, let’s look at what is inside the panel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Big Breaker Box Switch<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While opening a circuit breaker’s door, you will notice a large switch on the top that powers the whole house. It is larger than the other switches below. During an emergency, you should turn it off in the first place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Small Breaker Panel Switches<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Smaller switches are placed on either side of the vertical line. Each controls power to a specific area in the home. For example, one breaker box switch controls a kitchen, the other a living room, etc. Some 15-amp circuits may power electrical switches and outlets<\/a>, while higher amperage separate breakers are meant for larger appliances, such as washing machines, dryers, and so on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

AFCI and GFCI Switches<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Your panel may have arc-fault circuit-interrupter (AFCI) and Ground-fault circuit-interrupter switches that protect homes from arc and ground faults. They help to avoid shock and fires. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Labeled or Not?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s easy to read your breaker panel when each switch is numbered and labeled. For instance, you may see a switch labeled \u201cBedroom,\u201d which powers all the outlets and lights in the bedroom. But what if there are no labels on the switch? Well, you have to label them on your own. This is how you can do this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n