| Electricity has become an absolutely essential part | | | | conditioners, electric ovens, furnaces, etc. require |
| of modern life. It is used to power the largest | | | | both hot wires, using 240-volts of electricity. All |
| industries down to the smallest household | | | | electrical circuits require the presence of the |
| convenience. In your home, electricity is used to | | | | neutral line. |
| power appliances, furnaces, light fixtures, and | | | | An electric meter is located at the point where |
| many other items. Have you ever wondered how | | | | the electricity arrives at the house. This device |
| exactly your home's electrical system works? | | | | tracks the amount of energy delivered and |
| Components | | | | consumed by the household. From here, the |
| Your home's electrical system is comprised of | | | | power is channeled to the main service panel, |
| many different parts, including incoming power | | | | commonly referred to as a "breaker box". The |
| lines or conduit, an electric meter, service panels | | | | main panel is the central distribution point for the |
| and subpanels, household wiring, electrical outlets, | | | | entire building's power supply. To understand how |
| switches, and the appliances that use this power. | | | | this works, one must understand how an electrical |
| These items can be separated into two distinct | | | | circuit works. |
| categories: rough-in components and finish | | | | In order for electricity to flow, it must be |
| components. Rough-in components are the | | | | provided with a stable, continuous closed path |
| electrical elements in your home that are installed | | | | from beginning to end, with contact never being |
| during the beginning phases of construction, such | | | | broken. Like a circle, the power will travel from |
| as wires, cables, and electrical boxes. On the | | | | the power source to the device, and then return |
| other hand, finish components are the elements | | | | back to the power source. |
| that are added to your home's structure towards | | | | This is why the main service panel is commonly |
| the end of construction, such as outlets, switches, | | | | called the "circuit breaker box". It provides a way |
| and light fixtures. | | | | of purposely breaking the circuit, in order to |
| How it Works | | | | perform service or repair, or to guard against |
| Electricity is sent to your house from the utility | | | | safety hazards. From the main panel, electricity is |
| company through overhead power lines and/or | | | | diverted to individual circuits which provide power |
| underground conduits. This power is delivered | | | | to separate areas and aspects of the home. |
| most commonly through three main lines, called | | | | Sometimes, power is sent to sub-panels in other |
| three-wire service. This is the type of energy | | | | areas of the home and then on to the electrical |
| delivery system that most households have. | | | | circuits which run throughout the house. These |
| There are two "hot" wires, which each deliver | | | | circuits provide power to the many power |
| 120-volts of electricity, and one neutral wire. Most | | | | outlets, or receptacles, and light fixtures in your |
| household lights and appliances use 120-volts, only | | | | home, allowing you to operate all your household |
| requiring the use of one hot wire. However, larger | | | | electronic appliances and lights. |
| appliances and electrical devices, such as air | | | | |