In electrical applications, a distribution box is a component that is used in a larger system that helps to regulate the flow of electricity through a distribution board. The concept behind the box is to provide for the orderly flow of current so that circuitry is not overloaded, leading to potentially dangerous situations. The term is also used to describe a component that is common to many septic tank systems, helping to process the flow of waste as it moves into a municipal waste treatment and disposal system.
The typical electrical distribution box is equipped with a solid case that is capable of protecting the interior components from various adverse conditions, such as excessive exposure to heat or cold. The wiring and other parts that are contained within the box are usually mounted within the interior, helping to lessen the potential for the components to be damaged during any type of shifting that would otherwise create some type of abrasive action on wire coverings and other elements. Typically, the box is equipped with an airtight and watertight cover that allows for easy access to the interior components, making it easy to inspect and replace those components when and as necessary.
With a distribution box that is included as part of a septic tank or waste disposal system, the box is also usually constructed to hold up well when exposed to various elements over extended periods of time. A box of this type may be constructed with metal, but is often also created using concrete or similar materials. Here, the box can serve as a means of routing waste away from the tank and into a larger system, usually operated by a municipality. To a degree, a waste disposal distribution box aids in separating solid wastes from liquid wastes, which helps to enhance the overall efficiency of the waste treatment process.
Along with distribution box designs that are intended for installation and use as part of a larger system, there are also portable distribution boxes that may be used as part of the equipment set up for short-term use. In the case of electrical boxes, the portable versions are ideal for use at sites where new construction is taking place and an independent source of power is required during that construction. A distribution box may also be used in the creation of private waste disposal systems, serving essentially the same function as when included in the overall design of the network connecting homes and other edifices to a municipal waste disposal system.
By Malcolm Tatum