Hey all,
The NACHI courses mention a few times that you can keep a handful of dead front cover screws in your bag to replace wood screws or whatever has been used to improperly attach the panel cover.
Do you do this?
Is there any kind of liability you incur when you do this?
Where do you get the screws? My local Ace Hardware didn’t have 'em, had no idea where to point me. I saw some online at my Home Depot and Lowes, but would they be fairly universal?
Thanks in advance!
You may find some extra laying in the bottom of a panel from time to time. Electric supply houses have them (you do not need to be a jobber to shop there).
I have seen all kind of wrong (drywall screws fit everything!) screws in panels. sometimes it is best just to note it in the report and move on (CYA).
I don’t make a habit of it. I only carry extra on hand in case I drop/lose one lol. If the screw is improper with a pointed tip, I won’t reinstall it and will say so on my report. not sure on the liability side of things.
Also, yes they are typically universal 
I get the pack from Home Depot.
Amazon has them.
Never. I write it up. In rare cases, it appears that the tip of the pointed screw is against a conductor inside the box and I will not replace it.
Same as Lon here!
I always write them up when improper or missing hardware is found as well, with the exception being if I find the correct hardware inside of the panel, I then install them.
I typically blue tape them to the panel near the hole they came out of.
There is no one correct answer. One thing to consider is that the screws holding on the cover are there to ensure that an arc flash or some other dangerous fault is contained within the panel. Leaving out a few screws could be a hazard at some point in the future with potentially allowing the cover being blown off or worse.
All of the big box home improvement stores like Home Depot, Menards, Lowes, etc. have them.
I have a few different types in my bag. I typically don’t use mine to replace incorrect or missing screws, but more for when I drop and lose one myself. Panel screws actually have little tiny legs that pop out when they hit the floor and they can run and hide really good. 
On the subject of dropping screws, this tool pouch that I think @dhorton2 turned me on to works really well for holding screws when there isn’t a place to set them down close by. It also is just a really nice pouch, almost perfect for inspections.
Do you tape the bad screws to the panel instead of putting them back in?
Or do you leave a little gift of correct screws for the client to put in at their own risk?
I’ve got one of these, and I love it
That’s a good idea
I do a majority of new construction, the most common issue I see with panel screws are (1)missing screws, then (2)wires installed at screw locations. If there are no other issues that a properly supervised licensed electrician needs to address, I may replace missing screws (and notate it). If there are wires near screw locations I typically recommend correction and leave the screw out.
I’ve learned at the hard knocks university why wires should not be installed near screws or near the front of the panel at screw locations.
yup I’ve been zapped by a proper blunted screw because the threads cut the wire behind it as I tightened it. scared the shiz outa me lol
I was removing a screw once and a large gauge pool subpanel wire was pinched between the screw and the side of the panel. whoever installed the screw got lucky and only made it partially through the insulation. I got the firework display removing it. Great time for a reminder to wear proper safety gear!
hope you wore your brown pants that day
Good morning.
Ethan. Hope to find you well.
Seeing you can read to write…
The term is: Terminal Set.
Typically denoted terminal set numbers are in/on the panel enclosure dead front that isolates the live electrical components or on a label in the equipment enclosure.
I will leave it at that, seeing you are at the basics or beginning or your carrier of being a home inspector by the looks of it and do not want to influence you, rightly or wrongly, further…
Ethan…Seeing you mentioned the InterNACHI course.
I do not see what you prescribe about carrying extra terminal set/s or other equipment fasteners or equipment.
3.7. Electrical
I. The inspector shall inspect:
What I read is; 1. H: panelboards and over-current protection devices (circuit breakers and fuses);
Section III.
B: any unused circuit-breaker panel opening that was not filled;
IV. The inspector is not required to:
c: 1. remove panelboard cabinet covers or dead fronts**.**
I did add unneeded personal and professional liability by, removing dead fronts.
I stopped years ago to remove added unneeded personal and professional liability.
In my neck of the woods I went to Professional Electrical Service Supply stores, with the correct Terminal Set identification for that particular line of Electrical Enclosure equipment, Electrical Enclosure Manufacturers’ I required Terminal Set fasteners for. Snyder Electric, formerly Square D. Cooper. GE. Eaton group. Hubbell, Siemens.
Hope that helps.