Originally Posted By: jweiss1 This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
I did an inspection on a 45 year old house in Madison which had a fused, 200 amp main disconnect. In order to get at these fuses I had to remove three “screws” which held an access panel in place. The “screws” where very tight but I was able to loosen all three and remove the panel. It was then that I discovered that they were if fact bolts and that two of the nuts fell down onto the access cover, just missing the main wire. From what I could tell it appears that these nuts where originally glued and ment to stay in place when the bolts where removed, since it is all but impossible, not to mention very dangerous, to put them back into place. Of course one of them didn’t fall down and if the panel is bumped may fall down onto the main wire… so I have to have an electrician come out and take care of that.
I was interested in knowing how others would write this up in their report since the only way to disconnect the main is by taking out the three bolts, remove the cover and pull out the two fuses. There are over 12 individual breakers so the 6 hand hand movements rule is not possible.
Jon Weiss
Accredited Home Inspection Services, LLC
P.O. Box 5055
Madison, WI 53705
(608) 233-5555
(608) 235-9671 (mobile)
Originally Posted By: jpope This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Next would be something to the affect of "the service equipment is not equipped with a main disconnect - this is a safety hazard. Corrections are advised."
-- Jeff Pope
JPI Home Inspection Service
"At JPI, we'll help you look better"
(661) 212-0738
Originally Posted By: lgoodman This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
I do not think you should do this. (Cover my axx)
I would get 4 self drilling sheet metal screws and very carefully install them through the cover and the lip of the box in strategic locations to avoid damaging any wires and also avoid electrocution. Then i would replace the self drillers with a blunt ended screw with the appropriate threads. If you called me (an electrician) that is probably what I would do for you.
Originally Posted By: lgoodman This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
It is agood thing you didn’t do what I told you not to do because I pictured something very different from the picture. I thought you had only to reinstall the front. I am very glad I did not send you to your death.
Originally Posted By: jtedesco This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
That’s why close up pictures are so important.
I would recommend when anyone is not familiar with the electrical equipment that they should not attempt to remove any screws or covers.
It just makes me shutter when I see these type of situations, and I am reminded of some of the images in my library of some who were involved in electrical accidents!
Just send me an email for one or two so you can see what I mean!
I too would agree that the equipment is unusual, and even I have not seen that type of main until now.
It was a good idea to open the supply (was there a switch outside?) so that the electrician could find out what was behind that cover.
From the looks of it there appears to be "as new" parts visible.
Originally Posted By: jpope This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
It’s a later generation Wadsworth. I see these in homes built in the mid to late 60’s. This was their “improvement” to the fuse blocks of earlier designs.
In earlier models, you can't determine the service amperage without shutting down the power to the entire house.
-- Jeff Pope
JPI Home Inspection Service
"At JPI, we'll help you look better"
(661) 212-0738