Electrical Panel Nightmare! (or not)

In this video HHinspect owner Rick Belliveau shows you the GUTS of an electrical panel box and explains the secrets of healthy wiring job. You might want to stand back.... a little more...

About HHI
Highland Home Inspections offers inspection services on existing properties, new construction, light commercial buildings and home components. Our inspectors are ASHI® certified, and licensed in Maryland. With Highland, you can expect:

• A careful and thorough analysis of the home
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• A degreed engineer on staff for consultation
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in construction and equipment installation and use.

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[whitechoco100]

I like how he turns the "spare" breaker back to the on position.

[TexasHomeInspector]

Not a bad video, but I'd never grab any wire inside the box without proper protection, you're going to get zapped eventually. If there is a loose connection the wire insulation will have melted. Also in a main you have to check for service neutral bonded to the box, grounding electrode and/or cold water ground, hubs, etc. I'd like to see some problem main and subs you inspect on youtube (cause there are a lot of them out there).

[electech36]

You also did not check for shared neutrals with the 12's coming in. That is a big problem with electricians not putting the hot wires on the proper leg of the bus bar. Overall you did a good job, for about 10 or 15 years ago. Im not cutting you, just next time you post a video, cross your t's and dot your i's, or go back to class. They update codes many times each year.

[electech36]

to be continued: Ok, the 14 guage wire can only be used in panel replacement when you dont touch the rest of the circuit. And... when accepted by the county code you are working in. Also certain codes that require 12 guage wire and above, will allow 14 guage for smoke detector infrastructure wiring only. That is the only case my county will allow 14 guage wire, because it is so brittle and garbage, and a fire hazard. We don't allow that crap here for new construction. Only to replace old work.

[electech36]

First off, what really gets me is you are avoiding the fact that now there is an arc blast

regulation in affect. Second, there is combustible material mated right up to the panel.

Third, all hot water heaters are not 30 amps, and you need to regulate the breaker size

for the appliances if they are on a circuit by themselves to 80% when needed.

Then the 14 guage wire... is only acceptable in very miniscule circumstances. This is about to cut me off, I will have to repost.... thanks!

[hystat]

gloves + safety glasses = common sense

[norancho]

OOPS, shame on him. Toward the end of this he says that occasionally you will see the neutral wire doubled up on the same lug on the neutral bar and that is OK......that is a code violation. Ground wires can be double lugged but neutral wires cannot. This is a common violation and depending on your jurisdiction you may not be required to remedy this in existing installations if there is not any free lugs to accommodate the doubled up neutral wires.

[MDMesser001]

@rmcdaniel423 Very few people - even a lot of technicians - understand neutral VS ground (or earth). Bottom line is that ground is never a path for current in a proper installation. They're together in the panel but ONLY at the panel. You must have good ground at all equipment to avoid a chance that YOU could become the path to ground. Google it!

[Wayfarer515]

Ch-Series good stuff

[albduke1]

6ft 6in. Ya thats right.But what if your alittle old lady cant get to it?Wonder why they came up with that hieght?

[DiveOregon]

@ConePuncher420 I would tell you that it is not a good idea no matter what code says. It would be best to just buy a twin as long as the panel doesn't have more than 42 handles(breakers already installed) and as long as the panel is listed for twin breakers.