Here’s links to a collection of our blog posts about ELECTRIC PANELS:

• Why is there a 3-phase breaker in a single phase electric panel with only two bus bars?

• What causes copper wires to turn green or black in an electric panel?  

• What is the maximum number of circuit breakers allowed in an electric panel?

• When should a corroded or damaged electric panel cabinet or disconnect box be replaced? 

• Why is spray paint on the bus bars of an electric panel a safety defect?

• Why is it unsafe to bond neutral and ground wiring at subpanels?

• When was it first required that neutrals and grounds be separated (not bonded) on any panel past the main service panel?

• What are the code requirements for an old fuse panel/box? 

• What is a tandem circuit breaker? 

• When did arc fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) breakers first become required?

• Can an electric panel be located in a closet? 

• Can an electric panel be located in a bathroom? 

• Can you add circuit breakers by different manufacturers to an electric panel if they fit?

• My circuit breaker won't reset. What's wrong?  

• What is a split bus electric panel?

• How do I identify a combination AFCI (CAFCI) circuit breaker? 

• What is three phase electric service?

• What is a reliable way to tell if the electrical service is 3 phase or single phase? 

• Can a doorbell transformer be installed inside an electric panel?

• What does a circuit breaker with a yellow or white test button indicate? 

• What is the maximum gap allowed between the front of a recessed electric panel box and the wall surface surrounding it? 

• How far away should a sink be from an electric panel? 

• What are the requirements for NM-cables entering an electric panel box?

• Can a washer or dryer be located in front of an electric panel? 

• Why do some wires in an electric panel have tape wrapped around them near their connections?

• Why is a fuse box/panel an insurance problem for homebuyers? 

• Why is bundled wiring in an electric panel a defect?

• What is the difference between GFCI and AFCI circuit breakers? 

• When was the "maximum of six switches or breakers" first required for the main disconnect in a house electrical system?

• What is the voltage rating of a house electrical system? 

• Why are old electrical components not always "grandfathered" as acceptable by home inspectors?

• What happens when you press the "TEST" button on a circuit breaker in an electric panel?

• What is a Dual Function Circuit Interrupter (DFCI)? 

• What is the difference between a Combination Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter (CAFCI) and an Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI) circuit breaker?  

• What is the difference between "grounded" and "grounding" electrical conductors? 

• What does it mean when a wire is "overstripped" at a circuit breaker?

• Why is there a GFCI breaker in the electric panel for the bathroom shower light and exhaust fan?

• Why is an old fuse panel dangerous?  

• Why are Zinsco and Sylvania-Zinsco electric panels a problem? 

• Who is the manufacturer of those "bad" electric panels?

• Can multiple neutral or ground wires be secured under the same terminal in an electric panel? 

• What is a lock device on a circuit breaker for?

• Why is the circuit breaker stuck in the middle? 

• What is the gooey stuff on some of the wire connections in the electric panel? 

• What is a "missing twistout" at an electric panel?

• Can an electric panel be mounted sideways-horizontally?

• What is a double tap at a circuit breaker?

• What is the right electric wire size for a circuit breaker in an electric panel?

• What is the life expectancy of a circuit breaker? 

• My circuit breaker won't reset. What's wrong? 

• Why do some breakers in my electric panel have a "TEST" button on them?

• What is the right size electric panel for a house?   

• The electric panel is marked "Trilliant" and it's all grey plastic. Is it alright? 

• What do I need to know about buying a whole house surge protector?

• Why is an undersized wire between a circuit breaker and a whole-house surge protector device acceptable? 

• Is a refrigerator required to have its own dedicated circuit?

• What is the maximum allowed height of a circuit breaker (OCPD) above the floor?

• What is the maximum height you can mount an electric panel above the floor?