Electrical – the primary function of the main breaker in a breaker box? How does it differ from other breakers

circuit breakerelectrical

Location: California | United States

I'd like to better understand the roles of main breakers and sub-breakers. Why are there multiple levels of breakers? I suspect that sub-breakers are intended to regulate/control electricity for specific sections of the house while allowing other sections to still be powered?

-M

P.S. I'm SURE I'm misusing the term sub-breakers so I apologize to the electricians here. Hopefuly my question still makes sense. =)

Best Answer

The main breaker is sized to trip before the total current draw of the panel exceeds either a) the current carrying capacity of the feed from the electric company, or b) the current carrying capacity of the breaker panel bus bar, whichever is less. So if you order a 100 amp service and your breaker panel is rated for 120 amps, then your main panel should have a 100-amp breaker at the top.

The breakers for the branch circuits are rated to prevent the branch circuit from drawing more power than the branch circuit wiring can handle.

If you look at your panel and do the math, it is very possible that the branch breakers have a total capacity greater than the rating of the main breaker. This is fine because you will typically never have everything drawing it's maximum rated current.