What is a load center commonly known as?

A load center is commonly known as a breaker panel. This terminology reflects its primary function, which is to house the circuit breakers that protect and control the electrical circuits in a building. The breaker panel acts as the central point for distributing electrical power from the service entrance to various circuits within a structure.

The use of the term "breaker panel" emphasizes the presence of circuit breakers, which serve as safety devices designed to automatically interrupt electrical flow in the event of an overload or short circuit, preventing potential hazards such as electrical fires. In residential and commercial applications, recognizing the breaker panel's role is critical for understanding how electrical distribution and safety measures function.

In contrast, an electrical transformer is a device that changes voltage levels in an electrical system, but it does not serve the same distribution role as a breaker panel. A power distribution unit generally refers to larger systems used in commercial settings for managing and distributing power, while a control panel typically involves a user interface for managing systems and may not directly relate to circuit protection or distribution in the traditional sense meant by a load center.