Panel screw hits a live wire

[John Allingham]

Originally Posted by rwand1

John said..
I believe that here in the States, A bathroom is a prohibited location for a service panel.

Yes I think that is the same here.

Right you are Raymond. The trouble is, most homeowners either don't know that or don't care when they're finishing off their basement without a permit.

[John Allingham]

Originally Posted by dedwards

One thing I consciously check now days is the proximity of any of the interior wiring when I take a panel cover off. I find many times someone has replaced a misplaced screw with a drywall screw, a sheet metal screw or a wood screw. I carry a few extra panel screws in my truck so I do not have to use the pointed screws to replace a panel cover. If I find a wire directly behind the screw hole in the panel box I gingerly move it out of the line with the screws. Got a scare a few years back so I am very much aware of this now. Glad to hear you didn't get zapped.

Doug
I carry some blunt panel screws too, but don't you find that if someone has used a drywall screw, the thread on the panel is nackered?

[Russel Ray]

Originally Posted by jallingham

the thread on the panel is nackered?

Nackered?

What a wonderful word.

And if it isn't a word, well, it should be.

[rmoore]

It's a Brit thing, and it's knackered...with a K.

More than you need to know... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knackered

[Doug Edwards]

John,
Yes the old threads are usually somewhat fanged up and I make a point of putting that in the report as well. Just as often I will find they only put enough screws in to barely hold the cover in place and leave half with nothing in the hole.

[rchewning]

I always wear some sort of eye protection when removing a panel cover... Especially after transporting a TECO (local electric company) employee to the ER after he got a face full of heat when the meter he was removing arced... Guy had 2nd degree burns on a good 80% of his face EXCEPT where his glasses and hat covered any skin. That really showed me the importance of protective eye wear! And lets not mention the "Line Supervisors" that come out for downed power lines who are missing fingers because of accidents while "working in the trenches." Electricity is not to be taken lightly!! (No pun intended!)

[jtedesco1]

Originally Posted by rchewning

I always wear some sort of eye protection when removing a panel cover... Especially after transporting a TECO (local electric company) employee to the ER after he got a face full of heat when the meter he was removing arced... Guy had 2nd degree burns on a good 80% of his face EXCEPT where his glasses and hat covered any skin. That really showed me the importance of protective eye wear! And lets not mention the "Line Supervisors" that come out for downed power lines who are missing fingers because of accidents while "working in the trenches." Electricity is not to be taken lightly!! (No pun intended!)

From a meter reader in Connecticut. He was saved by the safety glasses!

[John Allingham]

Originally Posted by rmoore

It's a Brit thing, and it's knackered...with a K.

More than you need to know... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knackered

Richard
Strangly enough I learned the word from a British friend named Richard Moore. Not you of course but the same background I'll bet.

[sparks]

No, a service disconnect is not allowed in a bathroom when it has a basin and a toilet, tub, or a shower.

I think the rule is in 230.70.