Final answer:
An electrical panel is the necessary equipment connected to the load end of service conductors in a building or structure to control and cut off the supply. It consists of circuit breakers or switches and fuses, and it distributes electrical power to different circuits within the building.
Step-by-step explanation:
The necessary equipment, usually consisting of a circuit breaker(s) or switch(es) and fuse(s) and their accessories, connected to the load end of service conductors to a building or other structure, or an otherwise designated area, and intended to constitute the main control and cutoff of the supply is known as an electrical panel or distribution panel.
Electrical panels are responsible for distributing electrical power to different circuits within a building or structure. They have circuit breakers or switches that can be turned on or off to control the flow of electricity to specific areas or appliances. Fuses and circuit breakers in the panel act as automatic switches that open when sustained current exceeds desired limits, protecting the circuit from excessive currents and preventing thermal hazards.
Examples of accessories that may be connected to the electrical panel include metering devices, grounding systems, and surge protection devices.