Electrical panels

Understanding the role of the electrical panel

As the system's power supply control centre, the electrical panel ensures the safety of people and property from electrical hazards such as power surges, short circuits and electrical fires.

The electrical panel centralises all the protective devices in your installation. Each automatic circuit breaker protects a specific circuit from overloads. Earth leakage circuit breakers detect current leaks to earth. This distribution cabinet therefore guarantees optimum protection for your home.

Types of electrical panels: bare, pre-equipped or pre-wired

Choosing between a bare electrical panel or a pre-equipped one depends on your specific needs:

• Bare electrical cabinet: offers total flexibility to customise your installation. You select each component individually according to your electrical circuits. This solution is suitable for experienced professionals or custom installations. It also allows you to optimise your budget by only paying for what you need.
• Pre-equipped electrical panel (not sold on One-Elec): includes all the necessary protection devices. These pre-equipped models are easy to install and are ideal for private individuals and standard installations. If you are renovating a traditional installation or building a standard house, these panels are for you!
• Pre-wired electrical panels (not sold on One-Elec): simplify installation by already including the internal wiring. These models reduce installation errors and speed up construction. They are popular with electrical professionals who want to save time without compromising the quality of their installations.

Choosing your electrical panel

Sizing your electrical panel and selection criteria

Identify the electrical panel best suited to your electrical installation: waterproof, metal, stainless steel or plastic electrical box. Our electrical panels comply with current standards and have 1 to 11 rows depending on the model, and can accommodate up to 24 electrical modules per row. The size of your electrical box depends on the number of circuits required.

Before purchasing your electrical panel, we therefore recommend that you make an inventory of your equipment! Count the number of lighting circuits, power sockets per room, large appliances (oven, dishwasher, etc.) and specialised equipment (electric heating, swimming pool, etc.). This will help you quickly determine what you need. Allow for 20% extra modules for future extensions.

The number of module rows determines the capacity of your electrical panel. A standard home generally requires 3 to 4 module rows, a small home of less than 60m² requires 2 to 3 modules, and a large home of more than 120m² requires 4 to 6 modules. Each row can accommodate 13 or 18 modules depending on the format chosen, with a standard DIN rail for mounting equipment.

The power of your connection circuit breaker influences the overall size. Adapt your distribution box to your electricity contract. A 12 kVA installation requires more circuits than a 9 kVA subscription. The price of the electrical panel varies depending on the number of module rows and the type of equipment.

Comply with current electrical standards

Beyond sizing, it is crucial to comply with the electrical standards in force in your country when choosing and installing your electrical panel. In France, the NF C 15-100 standard governs all domestic electrical installations and imposes specific requirements regarding location, mandatory protective devices and the circuits to be provided. This regulation has recently been updated with new recommendations for surge arresters, arc fault protection devices (AFPDs) and electric vehicle charging installations. To fully understand these changes and ensure that your installation complies, consult our comprehensive guide to electrical panel standards, which details all current requirements and changes coming in 2025.

Selecting the necessary protection components

Every electrical installation requires protection devices that are suited to its specific needs. The circuit breaker is the first component in a home's electrical installation. It is located upstream of the electrical panel and is placed on the home's service duct (GTL). It is a device that protects and limits the electrical current in the home.

For optimal installation, an electrical panel duct is recommended for effective cable management.

You should also use a residual current device to ensure enhanced protection against short circuits. A type A residual current device is suitable for specialised circuits such as heating. The AC type residual current device protects lighting circuits and standard sockets.

Automatic circuit breakers protect each circuit against overloads and short circuits. They must be calibrated to match the cross-section of the cables used. These protective devices automatically cut off the power supply in the event of a fault.

Safety tips for installation

The installation of an electrical panel requires the services of a qualified electrician. Always turn off the main power supply before working on your electrical installation. Check that there is no voltage using a suitable multimeter.

Observe the regulatory safety distances around the electrical box. Keep a clear space of 80 cm in front of the distribution cabinet. It is essential not to install the electrical panel in damp or overly exposed areas. For outdoor electrical installations, choose an EDF outdoor electrical box.

Each circuit must be clearly identified with legible labels. This labelling facilitates maintenance and future work. Keep a detailed wiring diagram of your installation.

Our range of electrical panels in stock at One-Elec

One-Elec offers a wide selection of Legrand and Schneider Electric electrical cabinets for commercial and industrial use.

Commercial electrical cabinets

• PrismaSet XS cabinets from Schneider Electric: versatile solutions with models in three sizes, covering power ratings from 63 to 160 A.
• Mureva boxes from Schneider Electric: perfectly suited to harsh environments. Waterproof (IP65) and robust, they are available in versions ranging from 3 to 72 modules.
• PrismaSet S metal boxes: for tertiary installations up to 250 A.
• Prisma SeT Active panels: designed for commercial buildings up to 4000 A.

Industrial electrical enclosures

For the most demanding industrial environments:

• S3X stainless steel enclosure: made from 304L and 316L stainless steel for long-lasting protection against corrosion.
• Thalassa PLM enclosure: IP66 protection rating with total dust and water resistance, ideal for outdoor installations.
• PanelSeT cabinets: designed to withstand external aggressions in harsh industrial environments.
• Atlantic metal enclosure by Legrand: IP66 protection rating and IK10 impact resistance for maximum protection.

Order your electrical panels now on One-Elec

Whether you are a private individual or an electrical professional, you will find the electrical communication box that suits your needs at the best price, whether for renovation or a new electrical installation.

Complete your installation with modular equipment and accessories from Legrand and Schneider Electric available in stock: circuit breakers, switches, wiring accessories (combs and busbars, electrical wires and cables), electrical connection systems (electrical distributors, terminals, terminals and junction blocks) and electrical sockets for industrial boxes.

For added safety, consider installing an arc detector and checking that all equipment complies with current standards. Our pre-equipped electrical products guarantee a safe installation.

To ensure you make the best choice from our range of Schneider Electric and Legrand electrical panels, electrical boxes and electrical cabinets available in stock, or if you need advice on a specific product, please do not hesitate to contact our technical team, who will be happy to provide you with further information.