MEP Engineering · Engineering Glossary
A panel schedule is an electrical drawing or table that lists all circuit breakers in a panelboard, showing the circuit number, breaker size, connected load description, and calculated current for each circuit. Panel schedules are required on all electrical permit submittals and are essential for load balancing and code compliance verification.
The electrical engineer creates the panel schedule by assigning each load (lighting, receptacles, equipment, HVAC) to a circuit, sizing the breaker to protect the conductor, and verifying that the total connected load and demand load do not exceed the panelboard's bus ampacity. NEC Article 408 governs panelboard construction, and NEC 220 provides the load calculation methods for sizing feeders and panels. The panel schedule also shows the phase assignment for each circuit, allowing the engineer to balance loads across the three phases. Space planning considerations — how many spare breakers are needed, whether a larger main breaker is needed for future loads — are part of the design. Apex Grid produces panel schedules for all commercial and government electrical projects.
Apex Grid Engineering maintains this glossary as a resource for architects, contractors, developers, and property owners who encounter unfamiliar engineering terminology on their projects.
View All Engineering TermsApex Grid's licensed PEs provide mep engineering services across multiple jurisdictions — with fast quote turnaround and permit-ready documents.
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