Distribution of power in commercial or industrial building

In commercial or industrial area, the point from where electric power is controlled and transmitted is known as the panel board While the load controlling point in a residential building is called a load centre, the power distribution controlling point in a commercial, industrial area is called a panel board. This type of distribution is more complex as the number of electrical appliances and users increase. A distribution system consists of metering devices to measure power consumption. It has main and branch protective devices, conductors,transformers and switching devices to start-stop electric power flow. Electric power may be distributed through various switchboards, transformers and panel boards

Panel board- Electrical distribution systems, whether simple or complex, typically include panel boards. it must have a high rated overload protecting device, a more complex controlling circuit, which control all the heavy equipment, provide circuit control and overcurrent protection A panel board is a single panel or a group of panels. A panel board includes buses, automatic overcurrent devices, equipped with or without switches, and power circuits. A panel board is generally designed to be placed in a cabinet. A panel board mounted on a wall or partition.

Panel boards basically fall into two categories, lighting and appliance panel boards, and power panel boards. Lighting and appliance panel board is a component of an electric power supply system. It divides electric power into sub-circuits with a separate fuse or circuit breaker provided for each circuit, in a common enclosure. Power panel board represents products of high-level engineering from different industrial manufacturers. The panel board is flexible and strengthens the industrial distribution system. These panel boards are easy to install. These newer designs also simplify wiring and reduce material requirements, saving additional installation time.

Types of Panel Boards - There are two types of panel boards, the main breaker panel board, and the main lug only panel board. In the main breaker panel board, the incoming supply cables are connected to the line side of the main breaker These cables feed power to the panel board and its branch circuits. The main breaker can disconnect power to the panel board. This way, it protects the system from short circuits, and overloads. Ground faults can be addressed if it is equipped with ground fault protection. Main breakers are connected to the main busbars using the branch bus . This means there is no cable connection required from the main circuit breaker to the main busbars. Connecting the bus provides a higher degree of circuit integrity because there is less chance for loose connection, which leads to overheating.