Panels have a number of functions. They will be an area to connect several wires together, distribute power and or disconnect it. They contain breakers, fuses, or they are simply a box for electrical connections typically called a junction box. Many or all of these types will be found in your home or building, and all have different concerns for you. All panels or junction boxes need to be accessible for repairs or tracing wiring wereas the wiring itself can be concealed in walls floors or ceilings, and this we refer to as distribution wiring.

Concerns with fuse panels are numerous, but the main concern has to do with the fuses themselves. Firstly, there are several types of fuses and they have different characteristics, delay fuses, fuses that only fit the appropriate size (fuse rejectors), among others. Fuses must be replaced when they are blown and often home owners replace them with whatever size they have available which is often the incorrect size for the wire. This can lead to wires being overheated, and damaged. An overfused circuit can injure people when it fails to blow when it is overloaded and also can damage the wire, but both are a safety concern. Once a wire has been damaged replacing the fuse to the proper size does not fix the damage and the wire will now be more prone to overheat. In short upgrading to new breaker panel style distribution system is most often recommended.