One of the most dangerous things that home inspectors do is take the electric panel cover off and inspect the interior workings of the electric panel.
If one doesn't observe proper safety protocols when working with electricity, one can get a nice dose of reality or, in a worst case scenario, the shock of one's life.
Probably every home owner, and most likely older but curious children as well, have opened the electric panel cover at least once, but if you don't know what the electric panel is, here's a typical one.
Electric panels are made out of metal, a fact that I've never really understood since metal conducts electricity. That metal box is full of various electrical components which are, of course, carrying electricity, and in a worst case scenario, that metal cover can become energized, meaning that it is carrying electricity.
Places where you'll typically find electric panels are:
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exterior wall, usually by the electric meter,
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garage wall
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interior wall in a readily visible and accessible area
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interior closet, a place where we no longer install them since flammable clothes up against an energized electric panel can start a fire
Never touch an electric panel cover even if you think there is nothing wrong with your home or its electrical system without first testing that panel cover to determine whether or not it is energized.
"How do I do that?" you might ask, and I'm glad you did.
With your hand open and your palm facing you, touch the back of your hand to the panel cover.
Electricity causes muscles to contract, so if the panel cover is energized, your fingers will curl in towards your palm, and depending on how much electricity is flowing through the panel cover, your wrist will curl into your arm, and your arm will curl in towards your body, thereby breaking contact with the panel cover.
Some people say to use your right hand since it is further from your heart, which is a muscle, and you don't want it going into contractions. Since I'm right handed, I prefer to use my left hand so that if there are any electrical burns involved, they'll be on my left hand. Of course, if I die of shock, the point is moot. Nonetheless....
I've been working around electricity since I was 11, and I have never encountered an energized electric panel....
....until yesterday.
I'm certainly quite happy -- and alive-- that after 43 years I'm still observing safety protocols when working with electric panels. Too often in life people become complacent when they have done the same thing over and over and over again.
me a tiny bit nervous to open a metal door over an electrical panel. Our den/home office has some built-in shelves and cabinets, and built into them are 2 louvered wood doors, behind which is our panel. What do you think?
;)
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Good to know. I guess it's a bad idea that I've been putting my finger on the metal ringy thing to pull it open first. I think I'll try your way from now on. Glad you are okay. :)