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👥 A small committee 🖥️ A small section ⚡ A power box
subpanel

subpanel

5.1
A small box that holds wires and switches to give power to one part of a building
  • noun
  • /ˈsʌbˌpænəl/
  • Specialized
translation icon : subpanel
  • The electrician installed a subpanel in the basement to handle the new lighting circuits.

Examples

  • Each apartment unit has its own subpanel connected to the building's main electrical system.

  • If you want to add more outlets in the garage, you may need a subpanel for extra capacity.

  • The main electrical panel has a subpanel for the garage.

  • Each floor has its own subpanel to control the lights.

  • The electrician installed a subpanel in the basement to handle the new lighting circuits.

  • If you want to add more outlets in the garage, you may need a subpanel for extra capacity.

  • Each apartment unit has its own subpanel connected to the building's main electrical system.

How Large

switchboard
  • Archaic
27 6.8
subpanel
  • Specialized
5.1
plug fuse
  • Archaic
6.4

Surface Forms

subpanel singular
subpanels plural

Morphology

subpanel = panel (transparent) = sub + panel

The prefix 'sub-' meaning 'under/secondary' adds the sense of a smaller or secondary panel, which directly fits the electrical sense.

Etymology

Subpanel comes from the parts sub- meaning 'under' and panel meaning 'board' or 'control panel'. So a subpanel is a smaller electrical board placed under or near the main panel that gives power to one part of a building.