Steven L. Smith, Bellingham, WA Home Inspector (King of the House)

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Bellingham WA Property Inspector (King of the House): Electric Panel Safety

This is the photo of the inside of an electric panel. Granted, the big bent nail off to the side is not so impressive, but at least it is staying in one place. The thing that you need to see is in the lower left hand corner. That is oh so simple, but a problem. There should be no non-essential things floating around in the electric panel. And, when that non-essential is metal, double the warning. An inspector, or an electrician, does not want to see low voltage transformers, speaker wires, or screws inside the panel. Think about it. If something happened where that screw touched a wire, even when someone was in the panel. It would lead to a pretty big arc -- not the most fun at any time. As for the cure, just take the screw out. In fact, if I opened a panel and saw just that one screw, and no other electrical faults, I would strongly consider just taking it out and giving it to the homeowner, along with a clean report. Then again, it is even more likely that it could be used to secure the cover on a panel that had only three screws holding it in place. Why only three? Because someone lost one inside the panel! Mystery solved.

 

Thanks for looking.

Steven L. Smith

www.kingofthehouse.com

Bellingham WA. Property Inspections

        

        

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7 comments • Steven L. Smith, Bellingham, Wa. Home Inspector • September 01 2007 02:08AM

Comments

Interesting.  I never realized that is a problem.  But it makes sense it could lead to an arc.  I always like a post where I learn something new.
Posted by Ki Gray - Austin Real Estate over 4 years ago

Steven,

When I remove a panel cover the screws never go inside the panel. I always put them somewhere close. The top of the panel outlet box is always good. Or my shirt pocket. Never on top of the panel or up high just in case one of these little guys decides to roll away.

Since your on the subject of things not to find in an electric panel. How about the univited guest, bees, bugs, and rodents. Do you have a picture of something like that? I don't have any or I would post it.

Posted by James Quarello - Connecticut Home Inspector (JRV Home Inspection Services, LLC) over 4 years ago
I am never too shocked anymore with some of the things I come across in a home!
Posted by Main Line Real Estate - Christopher Benedict (RE/MAX Main Line) over 4 years ago

Steven:

Another good warning post.  Keep it up.

Posted by » Bill Burress Nationwide Mortgage Originator over 4 years ago
Good job...removing the screw and this post! I do try to follow my inspectors around so I can learn these sort of things...thanks.
Posted by Gary L Waters PLLC- Broker Associate Realtor® Melbourne Viera Rockledge FL (Century 21 Baytree Realty, 1211 Admiralty Blvd, Rockledge) over 4 years ago
Steven - Letterman does "Dumb Pet Tricks" on his show.  Have you ever considered doing a "Dumb Homeowner Tricks"?  We all do some pretty odd things from time to time.  But, in this case, it is just ignorance. I wouldn't have thought twice about the screw.  I would have just figured it was sitting there beacuse no one had taken the time to get a screwdriver to put it back where it belonged.  That's why we need professionals like you to do inspectins - you know what big dangers lurk in the simplest things.
Posted by Laguna Homes|Laguna Condos| Laguna Real Estate|Marlene Bridges (Village Real Estate Services, Inc.) over 4 years ago

James,

I never put the screws in the panel either. But, as you know, some people do. There are some pretty rasty panels at the link below, featuring bees and insects. Thanks for the comments.

http://activerain.com/blogsview/176435/Avoiding-Waterloo

 Steve

Posted by Steven L. Smith, Bellingham, Wa. Home Inspector (King of the House Home Inspection, Inc) over 4 years ago

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