Fuse boxes and service panels both have some kind of main shutoff mechanism, and you should know how to use it. The NEC says that you cannot have more than six disconnects—no more than six fuses, breakers, or levers of some kind—to turn off the service. Fuse boxes usually have either a single pulldown handle or two 50-amp pullout fuse holders to disconnect the service.
In a service panel, you will have either a main breaker or a series of breakers in the top half of some older panels that, when shut off, will disconnect the service. Remember, even with the breakers shutoff or the fuses removed, without the meter removed from the meter socket, the panel is still hot where the large wires come in from outside your house.
In case of an emergency in which you must get the power off quickly and cannot identify the specific fuse or breaker, the main shutoff will do the job. Keep in mind that your entire house can go dark. Be sure to have a flashlight close to your fuse box or service panel.
In a service panel, you will have either a main breaker or a series of breakers in the top half of some older panels that, when shut off, will disconnect the service. Remember, even with the breakers shutoff or the fuses removed, without the meter removed from the meter socket, the panel is still hot where the large wires come in from outside your house.
In case of an emergency in which you must get the power off quickly and cannot identify the specific fuse or breaker, the main shutoff will do the job. Keep in mind that your entire house can go dark. Be sure to have a flashlight close to your fuse box or service panel.
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