Do you disconnect the main switch?

[jtedesco1]

Do you disconnect the main service switch before removing the cabinet cover off of a panelboard?

Do you make your inspection of this type of equipment without removing the cover?

[Barry Adair]

The guys and gals in Texas are supposed to prescribe to these rules in doing so main switch is not required to be disconnected and panel covers are removed. IMO

Hope this helps

<<Prev Rule

Texas Administrative Code

Next Rule>>TITLE 22EXAMINING BOARDSPART 23TEXAS REAL ESTATE COMMISSIONCHAPTER 535GENERAL PROVISIONSSUBCHAPTER RREAL ESTATE INSPECTORSRULE §535.230Standards of Practice: Inspection Guidelines for Electrical Systems(a) Service entrance and panels. The inspector shall:
(1) inspect service entrance cables and report as in need of repair deficiencies in the integrity of insulation, drip loop, separation of conductors at weatherheads and clearances;
(2) report as in need of repair a drop, weatherhead or mast that is not securely fastened;
(3) report as in need of repair the lack of a grounding electrode conductor in the service where visible, or the lack of secure connection to the grounding electrode or grounding system;
(4) report as in need of repair accessible main or subpanels that are not secured to the structure or appropriate for their location (weather-tight if exposed to weather, appropriate clearances and accessibility), do not have inside covers (dead fronts) in place, do not have conductors protected from the edges of metal panel boxes, do not have trip ties installed on labeled 240 volt circuits, do not have proper fasteners or do not have knockouts filled;
(5) inspect and report as in need of repair deficiencies in the type and condition of the wiring in the panels, in the compatibility of overcurrent protectors for the size of conductor being used and in sizing of listed equipment of overcurrent protection and conductors, when power requirements for listed equipment are readily available and breakers are labeled;
(6) report as in need of repair a panel that is installed in a hazardous location, such as a clothes closet;
(7) report as in need of repair the absence of appropriate connections, such as copper/aluminum approved devices, pig-tailed connections or crimp connections; and the absence of anti-oxidants on aluminum conductor terminations; and
( report as in need of repair the lack of main disconnect(s).
(b) Specific limitations for service entrance and panels. The inspector is not required to do the following:
(1) determine service capacity amperage or voltage or the capacity of the electrical system relative to present or future use;
(2) determine the insurability of the property;
(3) conduct voltage drop calculations; or
(4) determine the accuracy of breaker labeling.
(c) Branch circuits, connected devices and fixtures. The inspector shall:
(1) report the type of branch circuit wiring;
(2) inspect all accessible receptacles and report as in need of repair a receptacle in which:
(A) power is not present;
(B) polarity is incorrect;
(C) the unit is not grounded, if applicable;
(D) there is evidence of arcing or excessive heat;
(E) the unit is not secured to the wall;
(F) the cover is not in place; or
(G) ground fault circuit interrupter devices are not properly installed as set forth by the current edition of the National Electric Code, publication 70A of the National Fire Protection Association, or do not operate properly as shown by use of a separate testing device;
(3) operate all accessible wall and appliance switches and report as in need of repair a switch that:
(A) does not operate or is damaged;
(B) displays evidence of arcing or excessive heat; or
(C) is not fastened securely with cover in place.
(4) inspect installed fixtures including lighting devices and ceiling fans;
(5) report as in need of repair an inoperable or missing fixture;
(6) report as in need of repair deficiencies in exposed wiring, wiring terminations, junctions and junction boxes;
(7) report as in need of repair deficiencies or absences of conduit in appropriate locations or conduit that is not terminated securely;
( report as in need of repair appliances and electrical gutters that do not have proper bonding;
(9) report as in need of repair subpanels that are not properly bonded and grounded;
(10) report as in need of repair the lack of disconnects in appropriate locations;
(11) inspect (if branch circuit aluminum wiring is discovered in the main or subpanels) a random sampling of accessible receptacles and switches and report as in need of repair the absence of appropriate connections, such as copper/aluminum approved devices, pig-tailed connections or crimp connections;
(12) report as in need of repair the improper use of extension cords; and
(13) report as in need of repair the absence of, or deficiencies in, the installation and operation of smoke or fire detectors not connected to a central alarm system.
Source Note: The provisions of this §535.230 adopted to be effective September 1, 2000, 25 TexReg 3260

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[Blaine Wiley]

I have never disconnected the main prior to removing the cover....well, a couple of times by accident.

[Barry Adair]

Originally Posted by bwiley

I have never disconnected the main prior to removing the cover....well, a couple of times by accident.

no one else knew, until now

[jtedesco1]

Originally Posted by badair

The guys and gals in Texas are supposed to prescribe to these rules in doing so main switch is not required to be disconnected and panel covers are removed. IMO

Hope this helps



<<Prev Rule

Texas Administrative Code

Next Rule>>TITLE 22EXAMINING BOARDSPART 23TEXAS REAL ESTATE COMMISSIONCHAPTER 535GENERAL PROVISIONSSUBCHAPTER RREAL ESTATE INSPECTORSRULE §535.230Standards of Practice: Inspection Guidelines for Electrical Systems(a) Service entrance and panels. The inspector shall:
(1) inspect service entrance cables and report as in need of repair deficiencies in the integrity of insulation, drip loop, separation of conductors at weatherheads and clearances;
(2) report as in need of repair a drop, weatherhead or mast that is not securely fastened;
(3) report as in need of repair the lack of a grounding electrode conductor in the service where visible, or the lack of secure connection to the grounding electrode or grounding system;
(4) report as in need of repair accessible main or subpanels that are not secured to the structure or appropriate for their location (weather-tight if exposed to weather, appropriate clearances and accessibility), do not have inside covers (dead fronts) in place, do not have conductors protected from the edges of metal panel boxes, do not have trip ties installed on labeled 240 volt circuits, do not have proper fasteners or do not have knockouts filled;
(5) inspect and report as in need of repair deficiencies in the type and condition of the wiring in the panels, in the compatibility of overcurrent protectors for the size of conductor being used and in sizing of listed equipment of overcurrent protection and conductors, when power requirements for listed equipment are readily available and breakers are labeled;
(6) report as in need of repair a panel that is installed in a hazardous location, such as a clothes closet;
(7) report as in need of repair the absence of appropriate connections, such as copper/aluminum approved devices, pig-tailed connections or crimp connections; and the absence of anti-oxidants on aluminum conductor terminations; and
( report as in need of repair the lack of main disconnect(s).
(b) Specific limitations for service entrance and panels. The inspector is not required to do the following:
(1) determine service capacity amperage or voltage or the capacity of the electrical system relative to present or future use;
(2) determine the insurability of the property;
(3) conduct voltage drop calculations; or
(4) determine the accuracy of breaker labeling.
(c) Branch circuits, connected devices and fixtures. The inspector shall:
(1) report the type of branch circuit wiring;
(2) inspect all accessible receptacles and report as in need of repair a receptacle in which:
(A) power is not present;
(B) polarity is incorrect;
(C) the unit is not grounded, if applicable;
(D) there is evidence of arcing or excessive heat;
(E) the unit is not secured to the wall;
(F) the cover is not in place; or
(G) ground fault circuit interrupter devices are not properly installed as set forth by the current edition of the National Electric Code, publication 70A of the National Fire Protection Association, or do not operate properly as shown by use of a separate testing device;
(3) operate all accessible wall and appliance switches and report as in need of repair a switch that:
(A) does not operate or is damaged;
(B) displays evidence of arcing or excessive heat; or
(C) is not fastened securely with cover in place.
(4) inspect installed fixtures including lighting devices and ceiling fans;
(5) report as in need of repair an inoperable or missing fixture;
(6) report as in need of repair deficiencies in exposed wiring, wiring terminations, junctions and junction boxes;
(7) report as in need of repair deficiencies or absences of conduit in appropriate locations or conduit that is not terminated securely;
( report as in need of repair appliances and electrical gutters that do not have proper bonding;
(9) report as in need of repair subpanels that are not properly bonded and grounded;
(10) report as in need of repair the lack of disconnects in appropriate locations;
(11) inspect (if branch circuit aluminum wiring is discovered in the main or subpanels) a random sampling of accessible receptacles and switches and report as in need of repair the absence of appropriate connections, such as copper/aluminum approved devices, pig-tailed connections or crimp connections;
(12) report as in need of repair the improper use of extension cords; and
(13) report as in need of repair the absence of, or deficiencies in, the installation and operation of smoke or fire detectors not connected to a central alarm system.
Source Note: The provisions of this §535.230 adopted to be effective September 1, 2000, 25 TexReg 3260

Next Page Previous Page

Thanks Barry! I see even more here that should be added to the commercial SOP.

Question, are these rules are in addition to InterNachi SOP?

[Barry Adair]

Originally Posted by jtedesco1

Thanks Barry! I see even more here that should be added to the commercial SOP.

Question, are these rules are in addition to InterNachi SOP?

Yes
Here's all the Texas rules and regs for inspectors http://www.trec.state.tx.us/inspecto...inspectors.asp

[cduphily]

Originally Posted by bwiley

I have never disconnected the main prior to removing the cover....well, a couple of times by accident.

Your not alone Blaine

For the record - I remove the dead front without disconnecting the main.after instructing anyone around me to please move back and not to look at the panel while I am removing the cover.

The day I take it for granted will be the day I retire ... one way or another.