Have you ever been knocked out? I don't mean literally like from a left hook, but knocked out by someone of the opposite sex who you thought was a real looker. A person you can not take your eyes away from. Everyone has experienced the sweaty palms, the racing heart and the shortness of breath that can cause. Getting a good jolt of electricity can have the same effect, but it's a lot less fun I guarantee.
One of the most important things about electrical components is safety. Wiring, panels, outlets and switches are designed and made to protect us from getting a jolt. Like I said a shock will make you at the very least feel funny and not in a good way. At worst it can kill you.
What I find most often when it comes to unsafe electrical components is someone wasn't careful or simply didn't have the expertise to do the work correctly. Not having knowledge is a dangerous thing when it comes to electricity. Yet carelessness is equally as bad.
For example this electric panel is missing a knockout. As the name implies the metal strip can be "knocked out" to open the space to accommodate another circuit breaker. Thing is when its gone it's gone for good. You can't put it back.
Leaving a knockout space open creates a serious safety concern. You can see in the photo there is a copper strip inside the panel. That strip is carrying the full amount of electricity for the home. Someone could easily fit their finger through that opening and touch that strip. If they did that, ZAP!
Fortunately there are plastic covers that are made for covering those open knockouts. It is simple solution to a careless and dangerous situation.
Careless and dangerous sounds like it might be fun with that heart stopper you saw, but just be sure to keep your fingers away from openings in electric panels.
Unfortunately, over the years I have seen alot of this come up during the Home Inspections. I have even seen some builders do this very same foux paux. It is dangerous and scary!
And I wanted to discuss the left hook that causes one to see stars and results in a black eye. So post a different blog on that please in your spare time.
Jim, as you know, I am not fond of electricity, and that is great information! We would do well to step back and call a professional when we see that. And usually my buyers open the box themselves like they know what they are looking for!!!!
James you had me going for a minute when I first started reading your blog. I can only say one thing, we all need to respect electricity, if you have a job to do, do it right. I have seen this same situation a number of times when I'm doing my home inspections.
When I saw that first paragraph, I thought that you were referring to the attraction you have for me. Then I realized you were talking about Mrs. Kate's blind adoration for the Nutsy one.
James, It looks like you blog has been hijacked by none other than Nutsy, the Knuckle-headed nut job. Maybe he needs to poke his nose into the panel to see if it is live...
Nutsy has never hijacked anything in his life. He even gets Email in the morning asking him to pop in and give brilliant insight into various blogs here at AR.
Seriously, Nutsy gets the occasional Email asking him to visit a blog and leave a comment. I see them. It is not exactly the groundswell he might imply, but they do come in.
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Have you ever been knocked out? I don't mean literally like from a left hook, but knocked out by someone of the opposite sex who you thought was a real looker. A person you can not take your eyes away from. Everyone has experienced the sweaty palms, the racing heart and the shortness of breath that can cause. Getting a good jolt of electricity can have the same effect, but it's a lot less fun I guarantee.
For example this electric panel is missing a knockout. As the name implies the metal strip can be "knocked out" to open the space to accommodate another circuit breaker. Thing is when its gone it's gone for good. You can't put it back.
;)
;)
Unfortunately, over the years I have seen alot of this come up during the Home Inspections. I have even seen some builders do this very same foux paux. It is dangerous and scary!