# Removal of Front Panel Cover **URL:** \ **Category:** Electrical Inspections\ **Created:** [April 7, 2020, 12:02pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/removal-of-front-panel-cover/163719 "2020-04-07T12:02:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![cevans](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/cevans/32/244194_2.png) [@cevans](https://forum.nachi.org/u/cevans)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2020, 1:25am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/removal-of-front-panel-cover/163719/42 "2020-04-08T01:25:58Z")
> [@meising](#): > > I tend to watch videos from contractors who do it for a living versus DIY videos We make a lot of money, documenting the deficiencies in their work. ---
**Author:** ![cstewartbrown](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/cstewartbrown/32/60224_2.png) [@cstewartbrown](https://forum.nachi.org/u/cstewartbrown)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2020, 1:53am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/removal-of-front-panel-cover/163719/43 "2020-04-08T01:53:41Z")
This is probably the scariest part of the job. I test the cover, as mentioned. But I also have a rule that I usually won’t remove the cover if I’m entirely alone on the job, which is rare. I like having someone there to call 911. I also use magnet handles to remove the cover to reduce risk. I never grab the panel itself. ---
**Author:** ![vmarbella](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/vmarbella/32/60067_2.png) [@vmarbella](https://forum.nachi.org/u/vmarbella)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2020, 2:59am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/removal-of-front-panel-cover/163719/44 "2020-04-08T02:59:11Z")
I always remove the cover. But I am a retired electrician of 38 years. ---
**Author:** ![rschmidt4](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/rschmidt4/32/173194_2.png) [@rschmidt4](https://forum.nachi.org/u/rschmidt4)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2020, 12:44pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/removal-of-front-panel-cover/163719/45 "2020-04-08T12:44:12Z")
While you’re in there you should be looking for overloads too! : ![unnamed](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/3X/0/9/09ed602a72175f2af10961842689e47d683050fc.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![dcicale](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/dcicale/32/183720_2.png) [@dcicale](https://forum.nachi.org/u/dcicale)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2020, 12:47pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/removal-of-front-panel-cover/163719/46 "2020-04-08T12:47:33Z")
If we remove the cover, then the argument of not having to move furniture or pulling up the rug is not logical. ---
**Author:** ![mgoldenberg](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/mgoldenberg/32/89265_2.png) [@mgoldenberg](https://forum.nachi.org/u/mgoldenberg)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2020, 1:04pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/removal-of-front-panel-cover/163719/47 "2020-04-08T13:04:32Z")
WHA? HUH? 4 Point insps require panel pics /cover off ---
**Author:** ![jdepiero](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/jdepiero/32/356888_2.png) [@jdepiero](https://forum.nachi.org/u/jdepiero)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2020, 1:40pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/removal-of-front-panel-cover/163719/48 "2020-04-08T13:40:53Z")
No different than having to remove a furnace cover, some of those have screws also. I also may move some furniture/boxes if I think they be hiding something. Dominick, are you still inspecting? your web site is open to purchase ---
**Author:** ![cevans](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/cevans/32/244194_2.png) [@cevans](https://forum.nachi.org/u/cevans)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2020, 2:34pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/removal-of-front-panel-cover/163719/49 "2020-04-08T14:34:45Z")
> [@dcicale](#): > > If we remove the cover, then the argument of not having to move furniture or pulling up the rug > is not logical. Maybe you don’t open doors or windows either then? What a silly argument. ---
**Author:** ![jdepiero](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/jdepiero/32/356888_2.png) [@jdepiero](https://forum.nachi.org/u/jdepiero)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2020, 2:41pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/removal-of-front-panel-cover/163719/50 "2020-04-08T14:41:39Z")
Chuck, maybe he does virtual inspections?? 😂 ---
**Author:** ![dcicale](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/dcicale/32/183720_2.png) [@dcicale](https://forum.nachi.org/u/dcicale)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2020, 2:48pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/removal-of-front-panel-cover/163719/51 "2020-04-08T14:48:47Z")
Read the InterNachi SOP. ---
**Author:** ![lhenderson2](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/lhenderson2/32/58205_2.png) [@lhenderson2](https://forum.nachi.org/u/lhenderson2)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2020, 3:43pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/removal-of-front-panel-cover/163719/52 "2020-04-08T15:43:24Z")
There are many areas where we go beyond the SoP to do a best inspection. There is simply no way to do an adequate inspection of the service equipment without removing the deadfront cover. How the heck can you know what some moron did in there if you don’t look? And it is the rare week indeed, when I don’t see mischief inside a panel. ---
**Author:** ![lnero](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/lnero/32/181081_2.png) [@lnero](https://forum.nachi.org/u/lnero)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2020, 3:57pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/removal-of-front-panel-cover/163719/53 "2020-04-08T15:57:24Z")
I always do unless there is an obvious danger. I had to skip removing the panel because I was ankle deep in a flooded basement. Customer did not really care though he got scared off by flooded basement and really did not want to go any further. I just had one the last month that had no paste on incoming aluminum wires from the overhead mast to the main breaker that had melted insulation. I let sellers know they were unaware of any issues. Probably just saved someone life! That is why I love this job! You well get more confidence with time, but do not get over confident always respect the danger involved. Like mentioned before a voltage sniffer should definitely be in your tool bag helpful ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/3X/c/1/c1b639c25fab25ed2e48d9257fc1b836bb9425c2.jpeg) in many situations. ---
**Author:** ![mgoldenberg](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/mgoldenberg/32/89265_2.png) [@mgoldenberg](https://forum.nachi.org/u/mgoldenberg)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2020, 4:21pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/removal-of-front-panel-cover/163719/54 "2020-04-08T16:21:33Z")
> [@dcicale](#): > > Read the InterNachi SOP Quite familiar with them thank you. If you do minimal inspections I now realize why you have no business. good luck… … … ---
**Author:** ![meising](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/meising/32/187362_2.png) [@meising](https://forum.nachi.org/u/meising)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2020, 4:35pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/removal-of-front-panel-cover/163719/55 "2020-04-08T16:35:03Z")
Got it, lol. ---
**Author:** ![meising](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/meising/32/187362_2.png) [@meising](https://forum.nachi.org/u/meising)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2020, 4:35pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/removal-of-front-panel-cover/163719/56 "2020-04-08T16:35:42Z")
Thank you Kristi 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![meising](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/meising/32/187362_2.png) [@meising](https://forum.nachi.org/u/meising)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2020, 4:40pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/removal-of-front-panel-cover/163719/57 "2020-04-08T16:40:42Z")
> [@vmarbella](#): > > I always remove the cover. But I am a retired electrician of 38 years. > [@rschmidt4](#): > > While you’re in there you should be looking for overloads too! : > [@dcicale](#): > > If we remove the cover, then the argument of not having to move furniture or pulling up the rug > is not logical. > [@mgoldenberg](#): > > 4 Point insps require panel pics /cover off > [@jdepiero](#): > > Chuck, maybe he does virtual inspections?? > [@lnero](#): > > I always do unless there is an obvious danger. > [@lhenderson2](#): > > There are many areas where we go beyond the SoP to do a best inspection. > [@lnero](#): > > I always do unless there is an obvious danger. Thanks so much to everyone who replied to my post, wow … what a response! It has been a great learning lesson for me. Hopefully I can help out a newbie like myself at some future point. Thank you again everyone!!! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![dcicale](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/dcicale/32/183720_2.png) [@dcicale](https://forum.nachi.org/u/dcicale)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2020, 4:46pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/removal-of-front-panel-cover/163719/58 "2020-04-08T16:46:12Z")
Hi Mark, I did not say, that I did not open the cover panel. It was just a question that I had. The business I do or not do is none of your BUSINESS. I am sorry to think that I could open up a discussion on a topic you are the EXPERT on. I won’t bother with your Forum again. Dominick A. Cicale ![388EDB55440E468AA2FF33693697C7DD.png](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/3X/6/7/677f06bdf711468707faf594c72c7993f90d2513.png) ---
**Author:** ![mgoldenberg](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/mgoldenberg/32/89265_2.png) [@mgoldenberg](https://forum.nachi.org/u/mgoldenberg)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2020, 5:12pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/removal-of-front-panel-cover/163719/59 "2020-04-08T17:12:29Z")
No problem buddy. Please show up in another four years without getting any more state licenses revoked for life ---
**Author:** ![cevans](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/cevans/32/244194_2.png) [@cevans](https://forum.nachi.org/u/cevans)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2020, 5:44pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/removal-of-front-panel-cover/163719/60 "2020-04-08T17:44:53Z")
> [@dcicale](#): > > It was just a question that I had. I missed your question. What question did you ask? ---
**Author:** ![lkage](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/lkage/32/347658_2.png) [@lkage](https://forum.nachi.org/u/lkage)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2020, 5:54pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/removal-of-front-panel-cover/163719/61 "2020-04-08T17:54:08Z")
We all remove the dead fronts at the elec. panels unless it is not safe, Martin. You’ll get there. Just be sure to take the InterNACIHI electrical course as a refresher or newly. [Previous page](https://forum.nachi.org/t/removal-of-front-panel-cover/163719.md?page=2) [Next page](https://forum.nachi.org/t/removal-of-front-panel-cover/163719.md?page=4)