Brand new here, so forgive the newbie question. As I’m going through the Electrical course, I see nothing but open panels in the pictures, which goes against the Standards of Practice of never opening dead front panels. Along with that, the pictures show bare hands holding/pointing at wiring. Why no gloves? Thanks in advance for the explanation!
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Welcome Ted,
It appears you’ve mis-read the SOP. The key words being “not required”, but it is ALWAYS best practice to remove the panel cover whenever it is accessible and safe to do so.
As for sticking ANYTHING in the panel, IMO that’s a bad idea.
Home Inspection Standards of Practice - InterNACHI®
IV. The inspector is not required to:
- insert any tool, probe or device into the main panelboard, sub-panels, distribution panelboards, or electrical fixtures.
- operate electrical systems that are shut down.
- remove panelboard cabinet covers or dead fronts.
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Ahhh, thank you for the clarification Kevin!
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It is of my opinion that You can not do a proper inspection without viewing the inside of the cabinet. However if dangerous conditions exist…standing water ect… there is nothing wrong with defering to an electrical professional due to safety concerns. If opening the panel is something that makes You nervous, I would urge You to seek some training and experience with a qualified electical professional until You are more comfortable with that part of the inspection process…Good Luck in Your endeavors Ted…
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What Jim said!
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You want to get training on how to open a panel. Holding the panel dead cover properly as you remove the last two screws is critical. If the panel dead cover slips and makes contact with an energized component, you risk sparking and potentially fatal results. You can also displace circuit breakers. Get training before opening the panel cover.
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You’re welcome Ted. 
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This is probably the 2nd-most dangerous part of the job, behind walking on roofs. Take your time, pay attention, be careful (and don’t drop the cover screws, lol).
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I back hand it.Then I just pushed my shoulder up against it. And I unscrew the darn thing.
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This can be very helpful for many people:
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That’s a cool gizmo! Never seen that before. Thanks @lkage
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I carried one of these just for that reason. Those screws always seemed to go behind something in the garage covered in spider webs!
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Yes, they appear to sprout legs the moment they hit concrete. Very mythical objects!
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They’re searching for the 10mm socket that was lost six years ago!!
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Not for me! I found them to be an additional pain in the ass.
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I use them on ever panel cover I take off. Never been an issue on my end and very helpful in holding and placing the panel cover back to align the screws.
To each their own as the saying goes… 
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I understand, but after doing it for over 45 years I do what works for me.
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I can’t disagree…
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I found the magnets a bit cumbersome the first few uses, I got used to them though. You have to really be careful with the newer Eaton panels, the subtle curves on on the cover can make the magnets not make good contact. The brand new Schneider (bright white) panel covers, I use a piece of blue tape at the area where I place the magnets. Twice in the last almost 10 years now of doing this I have slapped the magnets on the covers and heard arching sounds from the panel.
Which is why I carry spares. Some of the homes have junk stacked high and deep around the panel and pulling all that apart is a no-go for me.
Of course, if they are different from what you have, you do them all instead of just one…but so it goes. I had a pile of them from my prior profession so when I went back to visit buddies, I grabbed a handful of various mfgs.
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