Originally Posted By: rmeyers This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Next time you’re in the electric supply house or your friendly neighborhood family home center, pick up a few panel cover screws. (May need to do this several times since there is quite a variety!) Probably 90% of the houses over 10 -15 years old seem to be missing at least one. They also come in handy when you’re leaning over a pile of junk in front of the electric panel and YOU"RE the one that drops the screw. I always try to leave the place a little better than I found it!.. even if you can’t see it!
Originally Posted By: dcook This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Hey guys,
I’ve got one for you. Before you replace the panel cover, always check to be sure there are no wires located near the front of the panel where the screws you’re about to replace can penetrate the insulation of the wiring. “What a revoltin’ development” that can be, to quote Jackie Gleason. (you young guys won’t remember him). An electrician I know had that very thing happen to him; he ran a long screw right through the entrance cable, which entered the panel box at the bottom, then was routed up each side of the box, just inside the front edge.
In my opinion, aside from climbing on the roof, handling the cover from the electrical panel is one of the most potentially hazardous steps in our inspections.
I'm getting calls from the info on the website! YEA!
Dennis Cook
Assurance Home Inspections
Roanoke, VA
Originally Posted By: jmyers This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Dennis,
I had the very pleasure of being on an inspection where almost that very same thing happened. There was a circuit wire by the panel screw and just as it was tightened down, WHAM!
No, it was not I, just an inspector that was doing a ride along with Nick and myself.
Originally Posted By: dmullen2 This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
rmeyers wrote:
Next time you're in the electric supply house or your friendly neighborhood family home center, pick up a few panel cover screws.
Hi Russel:
I had the same idea and believe the idea to be a good one (as well as many panels having some screws missing, I occasionally drop one which must quickly head to the place where the "missiles of mass destruction" are kept, as they usually can never be found).
However, when I actually went looking for the screws, it was explained to me that suppliers didn't handle screws, partially because there are so many different varieties. To me, this seemed very odd. However, maybe that's just the small town Canadian way.
Although I do carry a few (actually stove bolts which sometimes have the same threads, but usually a much smaller head) I've had no luck in finding a source of panel screws.
Out of curiosity, are they easily available in your area?
Dale
Originally Posted By: jmyers This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Daniel,
I think you meant to say will limit the severity of the electrocution that you will may receive. 
Originally Posted By: rray This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
I would never think of doing any repairs to the electric panel. I know some people think it is faster to repair something than it is to write it up, but I have standard paragraphs for the majority of defects, like missing screws. I’m a home inspector documenting the condition of the home, not repairing it or anything in it. I’ll leave repairs to others.
Originally Posted By: dcarroll This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
I inspected aircraft flight controls for many years before I started inspecting homes, and one thing you learn is to never cross that line. Even if your qualified, no matter how simple it might be, you should never repair.
Originally Posted By: kmcmahon This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Ok…let’s say you take a panel cover off only to discover they used too long of a screw and if you put the screw back in, there’s a danger that could occur if you reinstall that screw. Would you leave it out or replace it with a shorter screw that you happen to have with you?
Originally Posted By: rray This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Replacing a bad screw with a good screw is a repair, and I don’t do repairs. I haven’t had that occurrence yet, but when I do, I would leave the screw out and, as JP likes to say, state that it “failed under testing” (I would not actually use those words, though). I then would educate my Clients and Client’s agent about why I would not replace the screw.
By the way, I never "happen" to have any screws with me. Since I don't do repairs, there never is a reason to "happen" to have screws with me.
Originally Posted By: bsmith This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
I carry a few screws with me. If the panel cover is held on with only one screw and it happens to fall off after I’ve inspected it - it’s my fault. If I leave the panel securely fastened I feel better. I don’t look at it as a repair - just covering the old posterior.
Originally Posted By: rray This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
I take a picture of it, and if it won’t go back on, then, as some famous home inspector has said, “It failed under testing.” The simple fact of it opening and falling off is a failure.
Not to mention the fact that if I put a screw (or two or three) into every electric panel that was missing screws, well, I might as well going into the screw supply business because I would be broke as a home inspector. It's an unnecessary expense as far as I'm concerned, especially since teh seller, who still owns the house, isn't paying me for my time, effort, and supplies. I'm just documenting things.
No repairs.
Pictures, pictures, pictures.
Documentation, documentation, documentation.
Now if my Client, who paid me, needs something, I'll try to help them out wherever I can, as long as it is legal, ethical, does no financial harm to my employees or my company, and does not put me or my employees in danger.
