Thread: Paint contaminated Panel

Next item is a house that was supposed to be "perfect"

When I opened the panel, I saw that the panel had been open when they sprayed the room. The buses and all the connections I could see were contaminated. I did NOT remove any breakers to see if the buss behind the breakers was contaminated.

They buyers had an electrician come in and examine the panel and was told (Verbally only) that it was "OK."

I remember from some posts long ago (in the old BB) that said contamination like this was grounds for having the Panel replaced... or is that ONLY if the connections behind the breakers were involved??

I could use some official sounding verbage for this, I see it more than I would like, and builders normally have their flunky wipe it down with paint remover and say its fine... Never anything in writing... they just say "It a paranoid home inspector..." (isn't that my Job?)

Bob Sisson

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Bob,

I don't think this is the code verbatum but it is the comment I use.

Internal parts of electrical equipment, including bus bars, wiring terminals, insulators and other surfaces, shall not be damaged or contaminated by foreign materials such as paint, plaster, cleaners or abrasives, and corrosive residues. There shall not be any damaged parts that might adversely affect safe operation or mechanical strength of the equipment such as parts that are broken; bent; cut; deteriorated by corrosion, chemical action, or overheating. Foreign debris shall be removed from equipment. Thoroughly clean without using solvents or chemicals that leaves residues or replace all affected materials.

and no your job is not to be paranoid it is to state an opinion based on the facts present while you are there.

Thoroughly clean without using solvents, chemicals, cleaners or abrasives, or, replace all affected materials.

Barry,

I would re-word that last part to be more like what I have done above.

Cleaning with a solvent (cleaner) which does not leave a residue is still not allowed.

Jerry,

It's done and thanks for the correction.

I knew what I meant to say just didn't get it conveyed to my fingers.

Bob SissonI could use some official sounding verbage for this, I see it more than I would like, and builders normally have their flunky wipe it down with paint remover and say its fine... Never anything in writing... they just say "It a paranoid home inspector..." (isn't that my Job?)

Bob Sisson

I've been giving the same pat responses to those kinds of builders, electricians, plumbers, etc. for years. "My informed opinion is in writing and remains unchanged. If you are confident in your statement, put it in writing so that my Clients can add it to their permanent house record." I am not aware of a single episode of that occurring to date.

From the NEC:
- 110.12 Mechanical Execution of Work.
- - - (C) Integrity of Electrical Equipment and Connections. Internal parts of electrical equipment, including busbars, wiring terminals, insulators, and other surfaces, shall not be damaged or contaminated by foreign materials such as paint, plaster, cleaners, abrasives, or corrosive residues. There shall be no damaged parts that may adversely affect safe operation or mechanical strength of the equipment such as parts that are broken; bent; cut; or deteriorated by corrosion, chemical action, or overheating.

IRC--E3304.6 Integrity of electrical equipment-- EFFECTIVELY IS WORD FOR WORD OF THE NEC.

Bob:

This is the autotext I use in my reports for such situations. I'm sure Friar Peck will find somthing amiss with it, but it comes from a higher authority:

“If any contaminant has entered the panel that cannot be removed by simply vacuuming or wiping with a clean lint-free cloth, then we would recommend replacing the interior of the panel. If paint, or some other contaminant, has left labeling that is affixed to the panel unreadable, then we would recommend replacing the complete panel. We comment in our current design of panel:
‘Allowing petroleum based paint, solvents or spray to contact the non-metallic parts of this product may adversely affect user safety and impair reliability’. This is due to the chemical reaction of the petroleum base paint or solvent to the insulating bases used in the panel.”

Rick Snapp
Product Technical Support Group
Square D Company - Lexington Plant
E-Mail: rick.snapp@us.schneider-electric.com

Aaron

Originally Posted by Aaron Miller

Bob:

This is the autotext I use in my reports for such situations. I'm sure Friar Peck will find something amiss with it, but it comes from a higher authority:

“If any contaminant has entered the panel that cannot be removed by simply vacuuming or wiping with a clean lint-free cloth, then we would recommend replacing the interior of the panel. If paint, or some other contaminant, has left labeling that is affixed to the panel unreadable, then we would recommend replacing the complete panel. We comment in our current design of panel:
‘Allowing petroleum based paint, solvents or spray to contact the non-metallic parts of this product may adversely affect user safety and impair reliability’. This is due to the chemical reaction of the petroleum base paint or solvent to the insulating bases used in the panel.”

Rick Snapp
Product Technical Support Group
Square D Company - Lexington Plant
E-Mail: rick.snapp@us.schneider-electric.com

Aaron

I guess the higher authority you speak of would be me!

That is a copy and paste of an e mail I received regarding the infamous "Groomers Goop".

Here is the exact e mail:

Good Afternoon, Mr. Van De Ven,

Sorry, but the link you provided would not open a web page. I was able to locate www.inspectionnews.net, but found nothing discussing this subject.

If any contaminant has entered the panel that cannot be removed by simply vacuuming or wiping with a clean lint-free cloth, then we would recommend replacing the interior of the panel. If paint, or some other contaminant, has left labeling that is affixed to the panel unreadable, then we would recommend replacing the complete panel. We comment in our current design of panel: "Allowing petroleum based paint, solvents or spray to contact the non-metallic parts of this product may adversely affect user safety and impair reliability". This is due to the chemical reaction of the petroleum base paint or solvent to the insulating bases used in the panel.

I am not familiar with the "Groomers Goop". However, our stance would remain the same as stated above. If a consumer were to utilize this pet grooming product, it would be without the Square D Company's consent or approval.
I hope that this will help with your issues. Please let me know if you would need anything further.
Regards, Rick Snapp
Product Technical Support Group
Square D Company -
Lexington PlantE-Mail: rick.snapp@us.schneider-electric.com

Here is the link to the original thread:
http://www.inspectionnews.net/home_i...int-panel.html