What are the common types of service equipment covered in Article 230?

Main circuit breakers and service panels are critical components of electrical service equipment as described in Article 230 of the National Electrical Code (NEC). These elements are fundamental in managing the distribution of electricity from the utility source to various branch circuits throughout a building.

The main circuit breaker serves as the main disconnecting means, providing overcurrent protection and enabling safe isolation of the electrical system for maintenance or emergencies. Service panels, often referred to as breaker panels, house the circuit breakers that control individual circuits, which ensures that each branch circuit can be independently protected and disconnected if needed.

This setup is essential for safety, compliance with building codes, and ensuring the reliability of electrical supply in residential, commercial, and industrial installations. It is crucial for maintaining the overall integrity and functionality of an electrical system, making it a primary focus of Article 230.

Other options like generators and battery backups, solar inverters and wind turbines, and surge protectors and GFCI outlets, while important in specific contexts, do not represent the common service equipment types that Article 230 primarily addresses for general electrical service installations. Instead, these items often fall under other sections of the NEC that deal with their specific installations and safety requirements.