Inspectors and agents get to see LOTS of houses.
While it is fun to pick on the "defects" of homes for blog fodder, there are many times that it would be fun to share some of the really cool stuff we see as well. In this post I will show a comparison of "good" and "bad" electrical panels. In a recent New Construction I came across an electrical panel that when someone opens it in 30 years they will be as impressed as I was---unless Bubba gets his hands on it first. This thing was a work of art----showing that there are indeed still trade-persons that care about what they are doing---more of a "Buddha" than a "Bubba". While most electricians do a pretty good job with the initial installation, it is subsequent additions to the panel that usually violate the original electricians work---including spraying the interior of panel with paint.
First I will show a picture of a panel that, for the most part, looks the way that it did when it was installed----with very few newer additions. Inspectors can scratch their heads for quite a while trying to sort out a mess like this. We can expect to find lots of other issues besides the visual "chaos." I once had a Jurisdictional Electrical Inspector tell me that "neatness" counts for a lot---they know they don't have to check very hard if the work is neat/orderly.
Here is a list of some of the things we are commonly interested in---inside the electrical panel (I am sure some of the other inspectors out their will be able to add to the list.):
1. Incoming wire size
2. Panel amperage rating (size)
3. Size of Main Breaker
4. Split-Bus type panel
5. Type of wires---aluminum or copper
6. Multi-wire circuits improperly wired
7. Anti-oxidant paste on aluminum wire connections
8. Wire size/breaker size not proper
9. Panel Bonding
10. Re-identified conductors
11. Missing handle ties
12. Damaged wires
13. Bare wires (ones that shouldn't be)
14. Double taps on breakers
15. Double taped neutrals
16. Double taped neutrals and grounds
17. Breaker types that don't match panel type
18. Missing knock-outs
19. Rusting/Corroding components/connections
20. Loose connections
21. Missing connectors where wires enter box
22. Arcing conditions
23. Over-fused wires
24. Breakers turned off
25. Breakers "tripped" off
26. Low voltage transformers inside panel
27. Missing lock-out devices
28. Debris in panel
29. Inside of panel painted
30. Vermin entry
31. Water intrusion
I think you get the picture of why when the panel is a mess, it makes our job very difficult----sometimes impossible. Then we have to defer the whole mess to a licensed electrical contractor.
Here was yesterday's "Buddha Award" winner:
Now while both panels had defects----which would you rather have to inspect---kneel down in front of?
Charles Buell
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My WORDLESS WEDNESDAY pictures and some selected POEMS & STORIES.
Pictures are worth a thousand words. They just kept installing layer after layer of wiring?
Vickie, fortunately they aren't as bad as my first picture toooo often:)
Andrew, unfortunately these "layers" tend to hide as oppose to enrich:)
Goodness! Only a mixed up artist who likes action would like the first box! And guess who liked it enough to photograph it! : )
Barbara, the panel was installed at about the time of Jackson Pollock:)
Give me the link to your paintings again. I'm going to look again.
Barbara---here you go: http://www.buellinspections.com/art.html
Charles, believe it or not, there is no minimum hieght requirement for panels here in TN. Only a maximum and that is that the main breaker cannot be more than 6'-6" off the ground.
Wow there is always going to be a noticable difference in some one who works for a living and someone who takes there job seriously, works with pride and has love for there work.... Great post.....
Michael, same here----fortunately electricians don't like to bend over---so they aren't usually too low:)
Frank, you are so right
While the first panel is the most common in older homes, I occasionally run into even nicer ones than the second one. There is an electrician working in Ferndale whos panels are always perfect; exact right angles on the bends, plenty of room, no debris. I've talked to the contractor who hires him and learned that he is just as fast as other sparkies, but is very neat. It only goes to show that it doesn't take any longer to do things right as it does to do them wrong. Factor in the redo and it takes a lot longer to do them wrong. This applies to all aspects of building, not just electrical.
Charlie,
No fears. Your panel is still as pretty as any I have seen even up here in Whatcom County. Quit your sobbin'.
David, it is a good thing for electricians to be anal:)
Steve, you have to get out more;)
I think it might look better with a brunette or a blond wig. Still darn pretty though. You should be proud of that one. Who needs to go out looking when you can find one that good.
Steve, the grass may be greener on the other side of the fence---but you might not be able to tell it is also poisonous.