ECN Forum Forums Code Related Discussion NEC & other Code issues Help! Is my home inspector crazy?

I rescind my first post (sorry, mister home inspector,but you know ya'lls reputation)
These pics almost look like the 1 that Joe posted in the paint on wires thread.No matter how much mud is on the wires,it doesn't justify rewiring the house.The service conductors,neutrals,and grounds appear to have been terminated before the spackling,so that connection should not have been compromised.However,the breakers appear to have been installed afterwards and the connection between the breaker and the busbars is definitely questionable.From the looks of things,the electrician needs his ass kicked for not protecting the panel and for not cleaning up the mess afterwards and the spackler needs his kicked for his notrespecting other peoples work.


[This message has been edited by txsparky (edited 10-14-2002).]

[This message has been edited by txsparky (edited 10-14-2002).]

Those are revealing pictures of a hideous installation—almost to the point of bus/pan replacement and scrupulous removal of likely hygroscopic and alkaline "spray" on cable insulation.

Pissing contest indeed.




[This message has been edited by Bjarney (edited 10-14-2002).]

I still think that the inspector should have called for an electrician to evaluate and repair as the electrician saw fit. The inspector (unless he is an electrician) is not qualified to determine remediation of the problem. However, I also feel that this points out that there is a need for other eyes to look at something.

Bob

Thanks for all the input. I have an electrician coming in about an hour and a half so I will keep you posted.

I think 110.12(C) applies here. I don't see any requirement for replacement. Drywall mud comes off of metal fairly easy, I think this panel could be easily cleaned up with a small nylon "toothbrush". After cleaning, I'd let your inspector prove that the busbars have been damaged by corrosion.

I'm sure in the future you'll be putting a cardboard cover over the panel when this drywall crew comes around. Seems to me these guys deserve a payback.

Tom

Tom,
Agreed, but the inspector has no business making a determination as to how to solve the problem unless he is a licensed electrician.

Where is your main disconnect?

230.71 permits a max of 6 without a main. I count 14.

If you have to replace all your wire, you should also replace your panel. Not that I'm a home inspector or anything.

TArett - I would guess this panel is a sub panel and not the service panel so a main disconnect is not needed.

After seeing this panel I agree that it's a mess but drywall mud comes off very easily. The original electrician should have spent the time to clean it up and charged the GC for his time.

I think that I would require the replacement of the interior guts and all breakers that have been installed on the contaminated buss. The dry mud may have damaged the breaker connection when the breakers were installed and the wet "mud" may have started corrosion of the aluminum buss. I have worked on a number of panels where the buss/breaker connection failed a few years later because of this type of damage. If the buss was cleaned prior to the installation of the breakers and shows no evidence of corrosion, I would permit the use of the panel. I see no problem with the wire, but it would be nice if they were cleaned up a bit before they were terminated.
Don

I have had a state electrical inspector red tag panels that had that type of drywaller damage. The panel and wires should have been cleaned with the guts replaced. The drywaller should be back charged for the repair. That what we did to fix that damage.
The inspector's rationale was there was no way to clean off the mud with out causing corrosion to the buss bars and other bolted connections.
BTW after paying for 24 150 amp panels the drywaller made sure his guys did not knock off or remove the panel covers for the rest of that project.
IMO this panel needs the guts removed, cleaned then dried out, and new guts and breakers installed. It would probably be cheaper to replace the panel.
This is about the only time I'll agree with a housing inspector.