The meter is connected to a distribution panel, also known as the breaker panel. This apparatus has a main breaker, which can cut power to the entire house, and as many circuit breakers as there are circuits in the house.

Some dedicated circuits have only a single outlet or connection box–for example, the refrigerator and the water heater. Other circuits are wired to outlets with ground fault circuit interrupters, such as bathroom outlets, to provide added protection against electricity-related accidents in the home.