Home Circuit Breaker Panel

The Circuit Breaker and the Panel Assembly

The Sub Panel

This series of photos show a 100 amp circuit breaker sub-panel. The most revealing factor is that the neutral wire conductor and the bonded ground wire are located in separate lugs and terminal strips. The only location where the neutral and ground wires are actually bonded are at the main electrical panel. Notice how the metal bus assembly has exposed parts in the center area where the circuit breakers are connected to. The panel bus assembly is energized with live electrical, power whenever the main panel circuit breaker is in the on position. Each circuit breaker panel has its own unique characteristics which an experienced electrician is familiar with. Homeowners or do-it-yourself ers should not perform any work in any electrical circuit breaker panel.

The Breaker Connection with the Panel

The buss of this particular circuit breaker panel is arraigned so that two columns of circuit breakers may be installed back-to-back. This photo shows how the metal contact surfaces of this circuit breaker makes contact with the panel buss by sliding down over each side of the centrally located metal bus. This creates a good connection with the panel bus and enables electricity to pass from the panel bus into the internal parts of the circuit breaker.

The Installation of a Circuit Breaker

The circuit breaker has been installed using the black plastic side rail of the panel assembly. When the circuit breaker is installed correctly it will be noticeably level or line up evenly compared to other circuit breakers. If a circuit breaker appears to be uneven or not level then the circuit breaker may no have been installed correctly.

The Panel Bus Assembly

This photo shows how the circuit breaker is fully seated into place with the panel bus and the same bus is available for another circuit breaker to be installed on the opposite side of the panel. The first circuit breaker is possibly the one that could be installed out of alignment because it does not have any other breakers to serve as a reference or guide.

The Side Mounting Rail of the Panel

This photo shows the side rail of the circuit breaker panel which has a clip which is designed to line up with the end of the circuit breaker and serve as fastener for the side of the circuit breaker. If the circuit breaker does not slide into the side rail clip then the side of the circuit breaker will appear high and uneven, and the circuit breaker will not be installed correctly. Shown here is the brass screw terminal where the circuit wire conductor will be attached and securely fastened.

More about Circuit Breaker Panels

Question: I have two wires coming from breaker panel I need to run a porch light and two room lights plus ceiling fans.
I have a double switch (one for porch light) (one for room lights and fans) its all wired with three strand ( Red, Black, White) wire except for the porch light its two strand.
When I wire it all up I have to have both switches on in order for the room to get power, how can I separate them?
Thanks, Bud.

Answer: Bud, you stated that the wires were the Red, Black, White wires, if so did you run 2 separate circuits, or just one? Because you really only need one circuit for this type of load. I'm also assuming you also have a Ground Wire.
It sounds like you have wired your room light in series through the porch light. Typically when wiring two switches from one power source I wirenut two wires off of my one hot coming in,then attach each one of these wires to one side of each switch, then attach the porch light to one, and the room lights to the other.This will enable the power to enter the switches and serve each load individually.

NOTE: This question is based on a specific project. Ask The Electrician provides help for your electrical project: Ask Electrical Questions