This is a picture I took for the writing assignment in “How to perform a Residential Electrical Home Inspection.” Of course, standards of practice say that the inspector is not required to remove the dead front, so I didn’t, especially for a writing assignment. Below is what I wrote for my assignment, but I would like to see replies based off what you see on this inspection.
For my essay I inspected a panelboard at a home in St. Peterburg, Florida. Firstly, the Panel board is located outside, which I don’t believe is recommended in states where rain is heavy and humidity is high, but it’s not considered a defect, but recommended to be stored inside by a licensed electrician. Secondly, although the legend is written directly on the panelboard, some of the listings aren’t clear or starting to fade, this would be considered a defect. Thirdly, on the bottom of the panelboard, three screws are missing, I’m unsure if they were the dead front screw, but no other screw holes are present, so this is considered a defect. Lastly, debris and corrosion surrounds the panelboard, removing the dead front could be a risk of arching and should be inspected by a licensed electrician.
Panels are permitted outside. In some parts of the country that’s the only place that they put them. As long as the panel enclosure is rated for wet locations it can be in an area subject to weather. It should say something like NEMA 3R enclosure on it.
Not an issue if the correct panel was installed. Of course, they can still develop problems due to exposure, so you report what’s discovered based on their characteristics at the time you inspect them.
I did not. I’m still pretty green and don’t own any PPE yet to remove the deadfront. I think it was the safer choice though for now, until I get more experience. Considering a hurricane just happened two weeks ago and the corrosion near the deadfront screws.
I highly recommend that you do some in-person training. Consider the InterNACHI schools in Colorado or Pennsylvania where you get up close and personal with this stuff with an instructor. 99% of the “crimes” are behind that cover.
Safety emphasis: Ditto to what @lhenderson2 said, namely get hands on training on how to safely remove the panel cover. PPE is not the criteria for accessing the panel interior. Hands on training is what is needed, how to safely remove it, and when to not remove it. Flashback can kill you.
I agree. PPE will come with that training. For me, I want eye protection. Others likely do more or less to protect themselves depending on personal choice.
Get two of these from Inspector Outlet or elsewhere. Learn how to utilize them on a panel cover. Although heavy, well worth having them in your tool bag.
You mentioned a hurricane two weeks ago. That means you are in Florida. Florida SOP requires inspection of the interior components of the panel, if safe to do so. I would suggest getting some further training on that subject if you continue to inspect panels in Florida. You can’t even get a 4-point inspection through underwriting without a photo and visual inspection of the panel without the cover on.
