Here is something that not everyone knows. As a realtor, ever look in a condo and find the "main" electric shut-off inside the panel in the house. Or maybe you saw that at a mobile home. Fact is, at least in my area, most of the time that panel is not the main. It is a distribution or sub-panel, which might have a shut-off but it is not really the main!

The real main is usually hiding outside, at a post or another similar venue at a mobile or on the exterior wall or in a special equipment room at a condo. Tip: Look for the meter, it ought to be close to that. Apartments or duplexes often have a similar arrangement. The main significance of this is that, if there is a crisis, power should be shut-off outside. Also the panel bonding and grounding should be different than at a main panel. That is something a good home inspector will look at. Hopefully this information is of use to you, a couple applicable photos are below.

Apartment, outside home                         Manufactured home, breaker under covered panel

I hope this information did not shock you.

Steven L. Smith

Bellingham WA home inspector

www.kingofthehouse.com