I never could figure out why builders always insisted that their representative take off the panel cover during a new home inspection. Is it that dangerous? The panel is new, right?

Of course, electricity is a great teacher and I'm going to pass this gem onto you, after all, what else am I good for if not a shocking discovery now and again.

Usually, in my mind anyway, I'm most afraid of the electrical panel when I'm taking off the dead front cover. During the course of a few thousand home inspections, I admit, I've fumbled the cover more than once, and recieved the appropriate adrenelin rush.

Now take a close look at the right side of the top photo. Notice the two hinge screws, these were partly to blame for all the problems. Why just partly, the other half of the problem was bad installation of the wires. Which by the way is what I wrote up in the report. Wiring must be neat and as short as possible to prevent overfill and contact with the front panel.

So what happened? In putting on the dead front cover, which is sometimes a tight fit, the hinge screws on the right forced the panel cover over to create a gap in which the excess wiring that contacted the dead front cover filled. When the panel cover came off the screws, the wire was pinched. Not noticing this right away, I continued forcing the dead front cover in place, creating the short and dare I say shock.

Yes, I did say "forced" the panel in place, as this happens frequently to get a tight fitting panel in place. However, that's generally on older homes. This was a new panel and I should have expected an easier time once the cover was past the hinge screws. So take a note from me, never force the cover on until you've determined the point of resistance.

What I can't figure out is how the residue from the short got over to the left side of the panel (left image). The wires looked fine over there. Anyone got any answers?

So know you know why the builders don't want you mess'n with the panels during a home inspection. They can't trust their sub's to do the job right.

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