What is an electrical Control Panel ?

[M_Duca]

Hello Experts ! I received a lot of very interesting answers in my previous post so I'm coming back to you as I have a new question. It's a simple question but is not really clear to me..

So what is an electrical control panel ? what's the difference between the others ? 

Thank you very much !

[RHH · Accepted solution]

Hello M_Duca,

There is a variety of panels. Lets make some differences in panels.

You start with your main panel, this panel gets its power directly from a transforming station.
The main panel is mostly called head panel here, cause its the main distribution in an bigger building.
The main panel is the distributor to (mostly) several smaller panels (called sub panels).

The sub panels distribute the current to your needs, like lights, wall sockets etc.

A broader explanation can be found here; https://www.nutechpower.com/what-is-the-difference-between-a-main-panel-and-subpanel/

Then there is the Control panel. Control panels are needed mostly for industrial purposes.
But smaller control panels are sometimes also needed if the controllers like relais or transformers doesn't fit in the (normal) distribution panel.

The main thing a control panel does is controlling switchboards or current flow, or when transformers are involved change current (mostly for controlling units, they operate in different currents).

For instance, an industrial factory works with big engines/machines that need a warm-up or start-up.
This needs to be regulated/controlled. This is impossible with only a simple distribution panel (subpanel) as its mainly, as the name suggests for distribution of current - group / switch on or off.