Busbar & connectors painted over

[Marc A. Goldenberg]

Upon removing the interior circuit breaker panel cover, I occasionally have observed the busbar, connectors & bare wiring painted over.
The NEC code calls for total replacement of the panel, simply taking apart the panel & removing/cleaning the paint & reassembling is not recommended.
Does anyone have any info or a link about this type deficiency?
THANK YOU & BE SAFE!

Marc A. Goldenberg
State License # HI1365
All Tropic Home Inspection Services
www.alltropic.com

[Mark S. Tyson]

Originally Posted by mgoldenberg

Upon removing the interior circuit breaker panel cover, I occasionally have observed the busbar, connectors & bare wiring painted over.
The NEC code calls for total replacement of the panel, simply taking apart the panel & removing/cleaning the paint & reassembling is not recommended.
Does anyone have any info or a link about this type deficiency?
THANK YOU & BE SAFE!

Marc A. Goldenberg
State License # HI1365
All Tropic Home Inspection Services
www.alltropic.com

Marc,
I can't hep with ant links but was hoping to get more info. from you. In the past i have built projects through out Palm Beach county and in my experiance the electrical inspectors would never let something like that fly. I was curious judging from the size of the panel pictured I'm guessing that is either a condo. or an apartment. If that is the case i wonder if the builder hired a private inspection company because most of the county electrical inspectors are ball busters

[Marc A. Goldenberg]

Originally Posted by mtyson

Marc,
I can't hep with ant links but was hoping to get more info. from you. In the past i have built projects through out Palm Beach county and in my experiance the electrical inspectors would never let something like that fly. I was curious judging from the size of the panel pictured I'm guessing that is either a condo. or an apartment. If that is the case i wonder if the builder hired a private inspection company because most of the county electrical inspectors are ball busters

Thanks Mark.
This was in a Boca Raton condo built in 1970.
Sometimes I find it in single family homes less that 10 years old.

[Robert Meier]

Right in the NEC:

110.12 Mechanical Execution of Work.
Electrical equipment shall be installed in a neat and workmanlike manner.
FPN: Accepted industry practices are described in ANSI/NECA 1-2006, Standard Practices for Good Workmanship in Electrical Contracting, and other ANSI-approved installation standards.
(A) Unused Openings. Unused openings, other than those intended for the operation of equipment, those intended for mounting purposes, or those permitted as part of the design for listed equipment, shall be closed to afford protection substantially equivalent to the wall of the equipment. Where metallic plugs or plates are used with nonmetallic enclosures, they shall be recessed at least 6 mm (¼ in.) from the outer surface of the enclosure.

(B) Integrity of Electrical Equipment and Connections. Internal parts of electrical equipment, including busbars, wiring terminals, insulators, and other surfaces, shall not be damaged or contaminated by foreign materials such as paint, plaster, cleaners, abrasives, or corrosive residues. There shall be no damaged parts that may adversely affect safe operation or mechanical strength of the equipment such as parts that are broken; bent; cut; or deteriorated by corrosion, chemical action, or overheating.

[Mark Thorman]

Originally Posted by Robert Meier

Right in the NEC:

It wasn't until the 1990's that this was mentioned in the NEC. Before this the code just stated "equipment shall be installed in a neat and workmanlike manner."

That being said I always recommend replacement of the affected components when paint or texture is on the interior of a panel.


www.MauiHomeInspections.com

[Joe Funderburk, CMI]

That panel is the worst I have ever seen.

[Robert Meier]

Originally Posted by Mark Thorman

It wasn't until the 1990's that this was mentioned in the NEC. Before this the code just stated "equipment shall be installed in a neat and workmanlike manner."

I've always viewed neat and workmanlike as unenforceable since the phrase isn't defined anywhere in the NEC and is completely subjective.

[Curtis M. Vilt]

There is a definition for "Professional workmanlike manner". I am looking for it.