How Electrical Panels Have Changed Throughout the Years

The creation of electrical panels occurred in the 1900s to safely provide electrical power to different areas of the home. An electrical panel is essentially a place for circuits that use power to connect together in one organized manner. It is typical to find electrical panels in either a utility room in the house, a garage, or even the basement to allocate power throughout the house—you may even notice subpanels for distinct areas and devices within specific rooms. These panels are comprised of two components: branch circuits and fuses/circuit breakers. Branch circuits are responsible for distributing appropriate levels of power to different appliances, light fixtures, and outlets. Fuses and circuit breakers act as a barrier to protect devices and wires from potential damage. So, when you “blow a fuse” at home, chances are there are too many things going on at once and a current has surpassed its allotted limit of power distribution. Without fuses and circuit breakers, this overloading of currents not only harms your appliances and wires but can lead to personal injury too. The main improvement of electrical panels throughout the years has been their voltage and AMP allowances. In simple terms, a volt is the amount of pressure or push used to make a current flow, and then an AMP, or ampere, is used to measure that flow of electrons from a high voltage area to a low voltage area. Over time, electrical panels have continued to develop whether it be through the electrical voltage delivered throughout the home, their physical layout and structural appearance, or their improvement to our quality of life.

Invention of Electrical Panels

In the late 1800s, Thomas Edison developed an idea to create a master fuse to interfere when electrical currents were working overtime. He housed the master fuse in a single box which became known as a fuse box or electrical panel. This invention was then executed and improved throughout the years by other inventors to perfect its build and improve its performance.

1900s-1930s

Around the 1900s, electrical panels were designed to make power available in the home for the first time through one central source. The average household had a 30-amp fuse panel with 120 volts to the home for its electrical source. The models at this time were designed to be encased in a ceramic holder with a black metal door to protect the wires, and there were only two plug fuses to act as a protector for the branch circuits.

1930s-1950s

With an increase in the electric flow of the currents, electrical panels were now working harder and faster to generate power for homes and cities. These panels were also more intricate in design since there were two distinctive cartridge fuse blocks that served different purposes. The first cartridge functioned as the main insulator to prevent the overloading of a circuit and was comprised of 60-amp fuses. The second was intended to be the key fuse to work solely with appliances ensuring they were protected efficiently when powered. All of these facets were set in a metal cabinet to conduct the electricity from the 240 volts that this new version provided.

1950s-Now

Over time, technology continued to evolve, and the electrical panels were no exception. Beginning in the 1950s, the introduction of the circuit breaker to the panels made a vast improvement on their quality of performance. Circuit breakers act similarly to a fuse to prevent electrical charges from short circuiting, but instead of needing to be replaced like fuses, circuit breakers simply only need to be reset like a switch. This development became the new standard for all electrical panels, and the newer model even allowed for additional circuit breakers to be inserted. With the addition of these circuit breakers, homes were now equipped with 200 to 500 amps with both 110 and 220 volt circuits allowing for power to be produced quicker and safer.

The invention of electrical panels tends to get overlooked and taken for granted by most. Without Edison’s initial creation and vast changes over the years, these panels would be completely different if not altogether non-existent. As technology continues to move forward, the electrical panel will continue to ensure power and safety for both you and your home.