With all the technological developments in our powered-up homes, it’s amazing that it’s taken this long for a new approach to the home’s main power panel. Both power from your utility, as well as converted solar power from PV panels all flow through the main panel to all the circuits in your home.
Some companies have incorporated added features like Siemens generator-ready panels that make it easier for homeowners to identify and power essential circuits from a gas powered generator. Siemens’ Generator Ready Load Center is equipped with two interior circuit cavities, both being powered by the utility power supply. Critical circuits are placed in the lower interior, which is backed up by a generator in the event of a power outage. By limiting back up to critical circuits only the homeowner can reduce the size and cost of their emergency generator.
Leviton has approached their load center redesign with a focus on both safety and ease of installation. The Leviton Load Center panel allows all branch wires to terminate at custom lugs in the panel, making wiring easier and neater—and eliminating the need for pigtails. This means the entire panel can be terminated at rough-in. Once circuit breakers are inserted the connection is completed.
Leviton’s circuit breakers incorporate cutting edge technology and safety beyond code requirements for ground
fault circuit interruption (GFCI) and arc fault circuit interruption (AFCI). The circuit breakers guard against electrical shock and arc fault electrical fires using their patented reset lock out technology. The trip technology offers homeowners an added layer of safety usually available only in commercial grade circuit breakers.
From a design standpoint, the Leviton panel offers a sleek all white design, with easy to read circuit breakers that use LED lighting to note where circuits are functioning properly. The panel door even has a window option to provide a view of circuits to check on operation.