Electrical control panels: the main components

Electrical control panels are a crucial part of any commercial or industrial building/facility and, as such, contain a number of key components. Let’s go through the components of an electrical control panel. 

The components of an electrical control panel

Control panels are made up of a wide variety of different components, each one playing a vital role in a system’s safe & optimal operation. 

Every component is responsible for a specific function as part of the panel, from providing system status to protecting from electrical overloads and managing voltage and understanding every component and it’s function is key to ensuring a positive user experience, alongside health, safety and smooth operation for years to come.

The components of an electrical control panel are – 

Switches: switches are probably the most recognisable and fundamental part of a control panel as they facilitate communication between the other various components and allow the operator to manually control the industrial machinery or electrical system they’re associated with. 

Circuit breakers: the function of a circuit breaker is to protect the system from overloads or short circuits, and therefore act as a safety measure. If the electrical current through the panel exceeds a certain level, the circuit breaker(s) will trip and cut off the electrical power – preventing any damage or fire.

Indicators: indicators serve to provide visual feedback regarding the status of the system and can include lights for the power status, alarms for system errors and displays showing essential data like temperature or pressure, depending on your system.

Transformers: transformers manage the voltage of a control panel and can step up or step down the electrical voltage of a system to match the system requirements, ensuring that all components receive the appropriate level of power.

Fuse(s): the role of the fuse is to protect the electrical system from dangerous levels of electrical current; breaking the circuit and shutting off power should the predetermined level be surpassed.

Relays: essentially electrically operated switches, relays allow for the control of a large amount of electrical power with a small input signal, making control relays useful for controlling large machinery or systems.

Terminal block(s): terminal blocks are a kind of connector that enables the secure joining of different electrical wires and are often used to consolidate wiring from various parts of the system. This makes it easier to manage and troubleshoot.

Enclosure: the control panel enclosure protects the panel from dust, moisture and external damage whilst still allowing easy access to all components housed within. The size of the enclosure – sometimes referred to as the ‘housing’ – depends on the complexity of the system itself.