Some home inspectors do not take the cover (dead front) off the electric panel for safety reasons. The accepted Standards of Practice in the industry do not require removal of the cover to complete the inspection.
However, for those of us that remove the panel cover to check for proper connections of the service entry cable to the panel lugs, wiring to breakers and proper sizing, grounding, etc. there can be surprises....
Electric panels have "knockouts" that are removed when the electrician needs an opening for wires to enter the panel. When ever a knockout is removed, the hole have a grommet installed to protect the wiring from the sharp panel edges and wiring in the hole. Only the knockouts needed for wiring should be removed, otherwise little critters like this rat can enter the panel.
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