A distribution board (known in the United States as a (circuit) breaker panel, panelboard, or load center or for old ones, fuse box) is a mounting enclosure for multiple electrical circuit breakers. Small single-phase boxes, with the breakers in just one row, are known as consumer units in Britain. Distribution boards are typically found in central locations inside buildings and often serve as the point at which electricity is distributed within a building. Circuit breakers can be used to manually de-energize electrical circuits when wiring is being serviced. North American breaker panels commonly have the live parts exposed when the enclosure is open (Edit: New electric codes require "dead front" panels, meaning live parts are only exposed when the cover is off and cables are visible). British distribution boards generally have live parts enclosed to IP20, even with the cover