2026 IEC 212 Complete Practice Exam – Prepare for Your Electrical Test

Branch circuits are the portions of the electrical system that carry power from a panel to the devices that use it. They begin at the branch-circuit overcurrent device inside the panel and end at the load, such as a receptacle, light, or appliance. This distinguishes them from feeders, which carry power between service equipment and distribution equipment (service conductors to distribution equipment) or between panels, and from service conductors to the meter. A run from a panel to a load is exactly what a branch circuit is, whereas a run from meter to panel or from service equipment to distribution equipment serves broader distribution or service purposes. So describing a branch circuit as running from a panel to a load matches how branch circuits are defined.