If your box is full of switches, they control your home's electrical circuits. Flip all of them to the “off” position, and then switch off the main switch at the top. In rare instances, a circuit may be mistakenly fed by more than one breaker! Because individual devices such as receptacles, switches, and fixtures can give. This guide outlines the safe method for cutting all electrical service within a standard residential setting. The first step is locating the main electrical panel, typically a gray metal box found in a basement, garage, utility closet, or on the exterior of the house. Because the box is the central point of power in your home, it has various switches that allow you to turn different segments on and off.