Some suggestions to improve safety before removing the electrical panel cover
What to look for before touching an electrical panel
How to improve the safety of bystanders during an electrical inspection
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This article discusses hazards that can be spotted at the electrical panel before even touching it and provides safety procedures to protect bystanders during an electrical inspection. Home inspectors & electrical inspectors can reduce the hazards of this very dangerous step (opening the electrical panel) by looking carefully at conditions before approaching the task. We also provide suggestions to improve the safety of bystanders during an electrical inspection.
These electrical inspection suggestions are not a complete inventory of all electrical safety procedures nor of all electrical components that should be inspected; these notes focus on identification of conditions that may present special electrical hazards for the electrical inspector. Contact Us by email to suggest changes, corrections, and additions to this material.
Fatal Shock Hazard Warning: Inspecting electrical components and systems risks death by electrocution as well as serious burns or other injuries to the inspector or to others. Do not attempt these tasks unless you are properly trained and equipped.
Homeowner advice for electrical panel safety: These safety suggestions are for professional inspectors and are not a guide for homeowners. Homeowners should not remove the cover from an electrical panel - it is unsafe to do so. Homeowners should look at their electrical equipment for signs of trouble and should contact a licensed electrician to address any concerns that arise. Without removing the electrical panel cover, but by opening the hinged electrical panel access door, homeowners can access the main circuit breaker or fuse, as well as individual circuit breakers and fuses. These devices may be turned on or off by the homeowner as safety or other needs require.
Safety Suggestions for Inspecting the Electrical Panel Interior
8.3.C. [The inspector is NOT required to] dismantle any electrical device or control other than to remove the covers of the main and auxiliary distribution panels.
How might the astute inspector spot trouble in an electrical panel cover before opening it?
At least one death, that of an electrician, has been reported to have
occurred during the removal of a panel cover
Atlanta GA, a licensed electrician was opening the panel for inspection.]
Apparently there was an incipient problem with the spring-loaded bus-bar assembly. When the cover was
removed the bus assembly moved, an arc caused an electrical explosion, killing the inspector. -- J. Aronstein to D. Friedman, personal communication, 12/1991.
The following photos and text provide examples of external evidence that may let the inspector avoid trouble or a nasty surprise when inspecting electrical equipment.
Before touching the electrical panel the inspector should look for these conditions:
Escape path: make sure that you know where you will turn and/or step back to retreat from the equipment if you discover a sudden and dangerous surprise (sparks, rats, bees, etc).
Wet floors or other wet conditions:
Do not touch
electrical equipment if you are standing on a wet surface.
Notice the cold water pipe condensation dripping onto and into the electrical panel in the left hand photo below
This photo shows a common way that water may enter an electrical panel as well as drip on its exterior.
A cold water pipe produces condensation which drips on the panel top. This pipe is too close and is in a poor location over this electrical service box.
Is there:
Wet equipment: the electrical panel cover is wet
Panel Rust: the electrical panel cover is rusty
The pair of photographs below show two clear warnings that water has been entering an electrical panel - watch out for rust, and for circuit breakers that may not trip in response to an overcurrent, due to internal corrosion.
This defect is not one for which a home inspector (nor most electricians) can reliably test in a home, but the warning remains appropriate. Replace such breakers, and if the electrical panel is badly corroded the entire panel needs replacement.
See RUST in ELECTRICAL PANELS for a detailed account of the sources of water and rust in electrical panels and the frequency of observation of rust and water damage in that equipment.
What about Testing a Suspect Panel Enclosure Box or Cover to See if it is Electrically Charged?
The electrical panel enclosure can be tested for electrical safety before it is touched by hand. Do not perform this task using the "handyman" procedures suggested by some people who rap or tap the panel with one hand. Use the proper electrical test instrument and procedure to make this safety check instead.
See these three articles for details on how to use test instruments to check for live voltage where it should not be. Touching Electrical Equipment (don't do it), Guide to Electrical Test Equipment (what are some common and inexpensive electrical test tools used by home inspectors and electrical inspectors), and Using DMMs & VOMs Safely (how to use electrical test devices properly).
Safety Procedures for Removing Electric Panel Covers: for Electrical Inspectors & Home Inspectors
ASHI Standards 8.1.B [The inspector shall observe] service equipment, grounding equipment, main overcurrent device, main and distribution panels.
Distance: Warn clients to remain at a safe distance.
Assistance: Do not permit your client
to assist you in removing or installing the panel cover. Only one person should be touching electrical components at any time.
The author asks clients to stand a little back while removing the cover, which makes it easier to remain in a blocking position (below).
We might inform the client that opening the panel is a dangerous step, and that if sparks fly the client should not touch the inspector - though other parties present at the inspection might want to kick the inspector or take similar measures if necessary.
Blocking: Stand so as to block your client from touching the panel or its components.
At an inspection in a damp dark crowded basement the author was standing blocking the very curious and active participatory client from the open electrical panel after the cover had been removed.
The client reached over the author's shoulder. The client asked, "What's this?" as he stuck his finger straight into an open fuse socket while his arm contacted the inspector's shoulder, assuring that they both would get an electrical shock.
Grounding: Check visually (and electrically if needed) for presence of system grounding before touching electrical components.
Details about inspecting electrical grounding and definitions are at GROUND SYSTEM INSPECTION. And don't count on the safety of the "backup ground" back at the utility company's service lines and poles: that ground may have been interrupted too. See Case History: Double Fault Leads to Loss of Power for an account of loss of both local ground and utility company ground at a property.
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Electrical shock injury statistics: www.healthatoz.com - September 2008;
"Frequency of Occurrence and Sources of Rust and Corrosion in Electrical Panels," Daniel Friedman, IEEE HOLM Conference, Philadelphia PA, 1992 - see ELECTRIC PANEL RUST for an online version of this article.
Jim Simmons: Personal communication, J. Simmons to Daniel Friedman, 9/19/2008. Photographs contributed to this website by Jim P. Simmons, Licensed Electrician, 360-705-4225 Mr. Electric, Licensed Master Electrician, Olympia, Washington Contact Jim P. Simmons, Licensed Master Electrician, Mr. Electric, 1320 Dayton Street SE
Olympia, WA 98501, Ph 360-705-4225, Fx 360-705-0130 mrelectricoly@msn.com
Kenneth Kruger: Original author of the sidebar on testing VOM DMM condition: Kenneth Kruger, R.A., P.E. AIA ASCE, is an ASHI
Member and ASHI Director in Cambridge, MA. He provided basis for this article penned by DJ Friedman.
"How to Use DMM's Safely," Leonard Ogden, CEE News, 888 Seventh Ave., New York, NY 10106, Dec 1990 p.10.
Dr. Jess Aronstein, consulting engineer, Poughkeepsie NY, 1991 protune@aol.com
Rex Cauldwell, master electrician and contributor to the Journal of Light Construction on electrical topics
New York State Central Hudson Gas and Electric Company, G&E/1-2/85 consumer safety pamphlet
American Society of Home Inspectors, ASHI Training Manual, Al Alk -[obsolete, and includes unsafe practices-DF]
Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair
Our recommended books about building design, inspection, and repair, and about indoor environment testing, diagnosis, and cleanup are at the InspectAPedia Bookstore.
Recommended books on electrical inspection, electrical wiring, electrical problem diagnosis, and electrical repair can be found in the Electrical Books section of the InspectAPedia Bookstore. (courtesy of Amazon.com)
Aluminum Wiring Information WebsiteAluminum Electrical Wiring Hazards and Repairs: in-depth authoritative info, photos, documents including selection of proper vs. ineffective repair methods. E.g.: Ideal 65 "Twister" purple connector fails in field and lab testing with aluminum wire.
Circuit Breaker, a bad one fails to trip failure at aluminum bus-to-circuit breaker connection - field report and photographs
Electrical Panels, How to Inspect in Buildings, safety for electrical inspectors, electrical panel, fusing, wiring defects, defective products. Inspection Class Presentation
Federal Pacific Electric (FPE) Stab-Lok Circuit Breaker Panel Hazards Website - Latent fire hazards, in-depth authoritative research, documents, advice on Stab-Lok electric panel and circuit breaker failures and what to do when this equipment is found in buildings.
"Electrical System Inspection Basics," Richard C. Wolcott, ASHI 8th Annual Education Conference, Boston 1985.
"Simplified Electrical Wiring," Sears, Roebuck and Co., 15705 (F5428) Rev. 4-77 1977 [Lots of sketches of older-type service panels.]
"How to plan and install electric wiring for homes, farms, garages, shops," Montgomery Ward Co., 83-850.
"Electrical System Inspection Basics," Richard C. Wolcott, ASHI 8th Annual Education Conference, Boston 1985.
"Simplified Electrical Wiring," Sears, Roebuck and Co., 15705 (F5428) Rev. 4-77 1977 [Lots of sketches of older-type service panels.]
"How to plan and install electric wiring for homes, farms, garages, shops," Montgomery Ward Co., 83-850.
"Home Wiring Inspection," Roswell W. Ard, Rodale's New Shelter, July/August, 1985 p. 35-40.
"Evaluating Wiring in Older Minnesota Homes," Agricultural Extension Service, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota 55108.
"Electrical Systems," A Training Manual for Home Inspectors, Alfred L. Alk, American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI), 1987, available from ASHI. [DF NOTE: I do NOT recommend this obsolete publication, though it was cited in the original Journal article as it contains unsafe inaccuracies]
"Basic Housing Inspection," US DHEW, S352.75 U48, p.144, out of print, but is available in most state libraries.
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