condo panel box - InspectionNews

william siegel · #1 (**permalink**) 04-25-2007, 06:36 PM

What do you guys think about this box. I have two questions:

1. what would cause the rust inside a condominium

2. Maybe I am missing something, but I have never seen a box with all of the holes above the bus bar. Any ideas??

Thanks

Jim Luttrall · #2 (**permalink**) 04-25-2007, 06:40 PM

Is this on the outside wall? Could be condensation causing the rust...
Can't tell much about the holes.

John Arnold · #3 (**permalink**) 04-25-2007, 06:49 PM

Many of the condos I've inspected had poor bath ventilation and poor dryer ventilation, therefore, high humidity.
I have no idea about the holes above the bus bar.

william siegel · #4 (**permalink**) 04-25-2007, 06:51 PM

Jim,

It on an inside wall in the utility room.

John,

It is in front of the dryer, which was vented ok. Maybe the old dryer was not venting so good. I did not think of that one.

Jim Luttrall · #5 (**permalink**) 04-25-2007, 06:56 PM

After I posted my question, I realized how ambiguous it was.
Was the box mounted on the inside of the house on an exterior wall?
That might make enough temperature differential to drive moisture into the cooler surface inside the box.
Might also happen the same way in a warm moist laundry room with cooler surroundings.
Jim

#6 (**permalink**) 04-25-2007, 07:10 PM

Would guess the panel is about 15-20 years old. Looks typical for that age. How did the breaker connections look?

william siegel · #7 (**permalink**) 04-25-2007, 07:22 PM

Dick,

You hit the nail on the head with the age - actually about 24 years old. All the connections looked OK.

Jerry Peck · #8 (**permalink**) 04-25-2007, 08:11 PM

The holes are for different panelboard interiors which could be mounted in that enclosure.

Also looks like some low voltage in there from the size of the conductors at the top.

Richard Rushing · #9 (**permalink**) 04-25-2007, 08:41 PM

That actually looks like a panel that was re-populated/ stuffed.

RR

Richard Stanley · #10 (**permalink**) 04-26-2007, 06:45 AM

Rust?
Humid salt air - just like here.
It is in or near the coast - Miami area.
Doors or windows left open often.
You mentioned utility room - was it in the laundry room? I have heard of open bottles of bleach contributing to corrosion.

Jerry Peck · #11 (**permalink**) 04-26-2007, 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard Rushing

That actually looks like a panel that was re-populated/ stuffed.

RR

I think Richard might be right on that.

Of course, though, that would mean the panel was 'a violation of the code' as it would not longer meet 110.3(B) as it was no longer 'being used in accordance with its listing and labeling'.

Which means the entire panel needs to be replaced, unless, of course, the person who replaced the panel interior kept the enclosure for that panel interior, or someone buys an enclosure listed for that panel interior.