What is a load center, and how many ways do you need?

A load center, also called a distribution board, is the panel where the electricity entering a building is divided into separate circuits. Each circuit has its own breaker, so a fault in one room does not cut power to the whole building.

What a "way" means

Each breaker position in the board is called a way. A 12-way board holds twelve single-pole breakers. A three-pole breaker takes three ways.

How to count the ways you need

List every circuit: lighting, sockets, each air conditioner, the water heater, the cooker, the pump. Add them up, then add spare ways for later additions. Leaving spare ways costs little now and saves replacing the board later. The exact number for your building should come from your electrical engineer's load schedule.

Indoor or outdoor

A board inside a dry room needs a lower protection rating. A board outside, in dust, sun or rain, needs a higher IP rating. IP66 means the enclosure is dust-tight and withstands powerful water jets.

Row or fishbone layout

Row layouts arrange breakers in horizontal rows and suit most homes and shops. Fishbone layouts place breakers on both sides of a central busbar and save height in larger boards.

What GO Electric makes

GO Electric manufactures metal load centers from 12 to 48 ways and plastic load centers from 2 to 36 ways in Jeddah. Standard sizes can be ordered from our online shop, and project quantities through the contact page.

Installation must be carried out by a qualified electrician.