Here is a photo of a residential electrical panel. It is a 2 phase 100 amp panel. The interior of this panel is quite busy. There are numerous loose wires as well as improper terminations. Multiple wires are missing adequate insulation.
In the article electric service panels I learned that one of the main causes of death when inspecting a service panel is complacency. The importance of proper attentiveness and awareness of what one is doing cannot be understated. Steady deliberate action will aid in safety.
The US does not use two phase systems. It is correctly called a split phase.
This panel appears to have corrosion. 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, This panel must be replaced.
It would be a good idea to have some type of learning materials near by if were spending three years of are lives on a toilet. To make sure to test for continuously running toilets that can be very damaging. Using a dye pill can be very helpful to find leaks into the bowl. You can alsoo shut the lights off and use a flash light to see if you see any light coming from underneath the bowl.
This is a sub panel that is located in a older Duplex. I do recommend having this panel updated to a new breaker panel. Also noted there is some overfusing. 12 gauge wire connected to a 30 amp fuse, which is a fire hazard.
This is a sub panel that is located in a older Duplex. I do recommend having this panel updated to a new breaker panel. Also noted there is some overfusing. 12 gauge wire connected to a 30 amp fuse, which is a fire hazard.
Heat testing. While some state that testing with the back of the hand is proper, it is not suggested for safety reasons. It is recommended that an inferred sensor is used to determine the temp of the breakers… a spike in temp normally suggest that there is a loose connection.
Per the national requirements for home inspections, it is not required that i remove the dead front, panel to inspect. It is obviously better if this is done (as it provides a full inspection to the customer), however for safety reasons this may not be something that I perform in the field.
Breaker Panel Screws: Two screws found missing and use of improper screws located on the Breaker Panel located on the North end of the basement wall. Proper screws should be used according to the manufacturers specifications. Normally they will be flat on the end and shorter than medal or drywall screws. Recommendations are to replace with proper screws by a qualified electrical contractor.
Double Tapped Wiring in Breaker Panel Box: Double tapped wiring is ok if the circuit breaker is designed for two conductors by the manufacturer. In most cases a circuit breaker that is designed for two conductors will indicate so on the circuit breaker. I personally found only two manufacturers that make circuit breakers that are designed to hold two conductors are Square D and Cutler Hammer. However, not all of their circuit breakers are rated for double tapping.
Pictured is a Remote Distribution Panel, or a sub panel.
It has 2 ungrounded conductors(hot) feeding the box, without a third grounded conductor (neutral). All of the grounding conductors (grounds) and grounded conductors are sharing the same bus bar, which is incorrect. Grounding and grounded conductors, in a sub-panel, should not share the same bus bar, but should have their own, separate connections. The case bonding screw appears to be screwed in, which would be a correct condition if the bus bar visible was only grounding conductors. Because there are grounding conductors on that same bus bar, this creates an improper case to neutral condition, which is a high level concern.
I would recommend a qualified electrical contractor examine and correct this sub panel.
Pictured is a Remote Distribution Panel, or a sub panel.
It has 2 ungrounded conductors(hot) feeding the box, without a third grounded conductor (neutral). All of the grounding conductors (grounds) and grounded conductors are sharing the same bus bar, which is incorrect. Grounding and grounded conductors, in a sub-panel, should not share the same bus bar, but should have their own, separate connections. The case bonding screw appears to be screwed in, which would be a correct condition if the bus bar visible was only grounding conductors. Because there are grounding conductors on that same bus bar, this creates an improper case to neutral condition, which is a high level concern.
I would recommend a qualified electrical contractor examine and correct this sub panel.
In this panel we see a 240 volt branch circuit that one of the wires is not properly identified. It was also installed as two separate 15 amp breakers, then tied together with a piece of twelve gauge wire that has the insulation stripped off.
Looking in the gallery at the section on double tapped breakers you see double tapped breakers and learn why they are not allowed. When 2 wires are under the same screw you do not get a good connection, the wires could come loose and arc creating a fire hazard.
Sub panel in a Condo. Has paint on the grounding conductor buss. Not good. But this buss is insulated from the case, which is correct. grounding wires are all secured to one lug to the case, there should be a grounding buss so each wire can be terminated and secured tightly. The main grounding electrode is painted white which is not good as it could inhibit electrical flow. it looks like a #4 awg wire which is fine. SE cables are aluminum… Not sure what size, possible 2/O. Multi branch wire coming in form a knock out hole with no Romex connector. The 2 hots are connected to the 2 different bus bars. Another knock out hole is open.
THere is debris in the bottom of the panel, most looks to be drywall dust and mud, which is not combustible. I see these as the main issues. Many of the wires are bared too much with uninsulated wires showing at the breakers.
Taking a look at a photo from the gallery, I can see the panel has a double pole saying 100 amps which looks to be the disconnecting means for the panel. Thus, one can safely assume it is a 100 amp service, but it is best to size the SE cables and check the meter as a cross check to be sure. The grounding bus is bonded to the case. THe grounded conductor bus is bonded to each other, one on both sides and it looks insulated, which means it is not a main panel, but a sub panel. A multi wire branch circuit wire coming in is properly terminated on the 2 different buses and a proper grounded neutral bus. The ROmex cables entering the panel all have proper Romex connectors on them. All and all looks very good. Pass.
This is a picture of a 200 amp service panel. I learned that the service panel needs to be grounded with 2 grounding rods no less than 6 feet apart. I also learned that you should look for double taps. They can be a code violation.
I read an article on Electrical Service Panels. I learned that an inspector need to take precautions when inspecting service panels. Start with checking the outside panel with an electric meter. It may have a loose wire making the panel energized.
