A few missing twist-outs, that's all

[John Kogel]

This is the worst case I've seen in a while. It's an easy fix, and I hope they bother to get it done. Imagine somebody groping in this dark corner of the basement, trying to reset a breaker?

Imagine tripping over the hockey gear that was piled in front of this and putting both hands out? Here's a question. The service comes in on the right, 200 A. A 100 A breaker feeds the left hand :) panel through the meter.
If the victim, in bare feet, grasps a bus bar in each hand, does the meter spin faster or slower?

I guess it would depend on if his hands were in phase or not?

[A.D. Miller]

This is the worst case I've seen in a while. It's an easy fix, and I hope they bother to get it done. Imagine somebody groping in this dark corner of the basement, trying to reset a breaker?

Imagine tripping over the hockey gear that was piled in front of this and putting both hands out? Here's a question. The service comes in on the right, 200 A. A 100 A breaker feeds the left hand :) panel through the meter.
If the victim, in bare feet, grasps a bus bar in each hand, does the meter spin faster or slower?

I guess it would depend on if his hands were in phase or not?

JK: New Swiss load centers?

[John Kogel]

JK: New Swiss load centers?Swiss cheese, you mean? Yeah, they are full of holes.:)

They are Westinghouse, so the only Swiss items would be the executive bank accounts. :)

[Robert Mattison]

John Kogel, is part of some generating system?
What kind of Power Company would allow this?:confused:

So you don't have to use knock out seals?

I once saw a panel, inside a customer home, he did a D.I.Y. job wiring his
own electrical panel, didn't use one wire connector for any on the NM
cable in pull in the panel.:eek:

Thanks for sharing the photo's

[John Kogel]

John Kogel, is part of some generating system?
What kind of Power Company would allow this?:confused:
So you don't have to use knock out seals?
Robert, the Power Co meter is outside, so they were not aware of this situation, I think. The meter in the pics is simply for the homeowner to record the consumption at the smaller panel, which supplies a suite. I suspect a homeowner with some knowledge installed the small panel and moved some breakers from the larger panel. Then forgot to finish the job. :(

[Robert Mattison]

John Kogel, your thread dated: 08/03/09

Right panel no door, big problem, missing twist outs, need breaker openning plugs/filler plates, or just add breakers.

Left panel, better when door is close, missing twist outs need to be plug
with breaker openining plugs/ filler plates, or just use circuit breakers.

It sure is dangerous, if left like that.

I sure you cover you bases, I hope you got a big check.:D

Keep sending us pictures. H.I.;) can never get enough.

No NEC code ref. from me on this, I believe in common sense.:cool:

[Frank Norman]

I saw worse in the basement of a house during a recent open house (not a place I was inspecting) of a large old house that had not changed hands for 90+ years . The electrical service had been installed in 1929 by the owner who I was told had been an industrial electrician at that time and had used industrial electrical components from that era to put together something that looked a bit like it was out of Dr Frankenstein's laboratory. The main shutoff and circuit shutoffs were knife switches on a wooden board with the terminals, switch blades, etc., exposed, no cover or protective insulation at all for the switches and for the fuses. Wish I had taken some pictures as it was quite a sight.



JK: New Swiss load centers?

[Michael Kratky]

John, i have been in the business since 1973 since I stared out as an apprentice union electrician, eventual becoming an electrical inspector then also a home inspector, this is a 1st. Outside of the multiple NEC violations it's pretty ingenious; he gets to monitor the usage of the apartment and I assume separately bill them, not sure of the legality of that though.

[Raymond Wand]

I carry several plastic filler tabs in my inspection kit for such instances.

[Michael Kratky]

Raymond, above and beyond the SOP for a HI.

[Raymond Wand]

I realize that, but what the hell.

I know inspectors who carry blunt end screws to replace pointed screws on the panel cover.

If I listened to everything we are not suppose to do or do on an inspection I would be a nervous wreck, ... wait a minute; I am a nervous wreck. ;)

[Michael Kratky]

Raymond, have to laugh, but with over 30 years in the business my best advice is that with all the liability associated with being an HI we should all be nervous., Being an HI its not a matter of if you will be sued but when, so limit your liability and stick to a Standards of Practice whether it be NACHI, ASHI or the one we have here in New York State. Simply observe and report!

[Raymond Wand]

I know I have been around in the biz since 1991.