switchboard
One or a group of panels on which are mounted switches, overcurrent devices, metering instruments, and buses for controlling and protecting a number of electric circuits. Also called switchgear. (Ching, 1995) Historical electrical panels have been documented in landmark locations like Ellis Island. Panels like this were used in early electrical systems in buildings such as schools or government offices. Vertical metal components and ceramic insulators are enclosed within a glass-fronted wooden cabinet. (Kremer, 2025) Photo from Ellis Island, NEw York City, New York, 2023.
switchgear