5 Common Electrical Panel Mistakes

Electric Pro Academy - Real Skills to make real money.

Synopsis:
Joel continues to highlight some best practices pertaining to electrical panels and some errors left behind by a previous sub-contractor, particularly an incompatibility breaker, debris inside the panel, and mediocre mounting practices.

Laced within the technical instruction are recommendations and points of professionalism employed daily by Jefferson Electric masters, journeymen, & apprentices.

Thank you for watching; we value your feedback and monitor this channel daily.

Products We’d Recommend:

National Electrical Code (NEC) referenced in this video:
[] Electrical Equipment Listing & Labeling [NEC 110.3(B)]

Outline:
0:00 - Introduction
0:12 - Breaker Compatibility
0:38 - Foreign Objects
0:59 - Bushings (Good & Bad)
2:08 - Proper Cover Fasteners
2:54 - Proper Panel Mounting

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Jefferson Electric services residential, commercial, solar, and Tesla systems in Indianapolis, IN.

[davenag]

As a 40 + year electrician the thing that really bothers me is guys who trim the wires to the exact length when terminating to the breakers, and then bundling the wires so tightly that troubleshooting individual wires is impossible. A service panel will probably last 40 years or more and many modifications are going to take place after you are long gone. Circuits will be added, breakers replaced and loads will get moved around. Also, the heating and cooling of conductors will cause them to expand and contract, allow for this movement. Always, always, always leave an extra loop of wire inside the panel. Run the wire down past it's breaker a few inches and then come back up to terminate. Trimming a panel isn't an art contest, it's all about function, safety and future servicing. The need for splicing wires in a service panel because they are too short is bad practice and usually frowned upon by inspectors.

[DjGhot]

I love your videos!!! As an electrical apprentice your videos provide so much information and code that helps me out alot

[jcarroll]

Just watched the installing an EV charger, top notch! I really appreciate your attention to detail, level, well anchored etc. Its evident you take pride in your work. All those tips learned from experience. I’m learning a lot from your videos….THANK YOU!!

[andycopeland]

You sound so patient and gentle talking about how not to fuck up the panel that it's making me laugh. I'm usually like, "WHY THE HELL DID YOU DO THIS? FOR FUCKS SAKE STOP DOING THAT."

I'm here after watching you install that Leviton panel from the future. Man I really like your style. You're a great example for people looking to run their own company someday. Keep it up!

[bobfalk]

I just discovered your videos and wish I had had them decades ago! I am a long time (40+ years) DIY'er who has done a lot of electrical work in the course of three historic home remodels. While I am now comfortable with almost all residential electrical, there is always something to learn. Your videos are great. You are concise, articulate, and focus on the details and tips that most electricians are reluctant to share. I am amazed (and disappointed) that you have only 8000 views on this video....you should have 800, 000. Keep up the good work. Cheers, bob

[OldManse]

Thank you. You are my go to Pro for electrical.

[willschultz]

Yes sawdust and debris at the bottom of a stud bay by sloppy builders is a fire hazard also. Good point about the panel screw also! Only problem is when the hole becomes stripped out and you have to use a larger screw, choose a new screw carefully.

[icevariable]

Just found your videos. Excellent! Straight to the point. No jibba-jabber. I just subbed. Also, you said "half inch in front of drywall" at the end. I assume you meant half inch in front of the framing? When talking about bushings and connectors, I suggest showing a closeup of the hardware so we know exactly what you're talking about. Though I've worked with the two-screw connectors, I haven't worked much with panels and wondered if these were special bushings you were referring to.

[MartyMasterjohn]

Joel looks like the Bob Ross of electrical instruction... “We don't make mistakes, just happy little accidents.”

[JJones-cldm]

One of my pet pieves is when i open up a panel or j box and find all the metal shavings from where they drilled their KOs in the bottom. Use your magnet on your level and clean that mess out

[carlosnegrete]

Keep it up brother! You are a great teacher. Your videos are very nice and organized! Very informative and clear

[snoopstp]

Ok i was hoping for a little more than that, but in fairness those are all valid points.

[jerrypruden]

In Canada we use push in Style as you can put 2 14/2 wires in the same hole. In Canada we are not allowed to Ty wrap wires in a bundle

[matthewblankowski]

Ooh ooh I get to be the keyboard electrician that names one more: If those wires up top are zip tied together for more that 24 inches they are subject to bundling codes and need to be derated. Don't zip tie them they- they get stapled to a 2x4 in the bay instead (if the local musicality requires that)

Thanks for the video!

[willschultz]

In addition I always push the wires away from where the screws enter the panel just to make sure the wires dont contact the screws.

[ricktrogdon]

don't know if the 2x4 close in, but i do know the box expands out. especially in the middle.

[joeguilfoyle]

I just watched your video about installing the 220 outlet for an EV. Probably the best DIY video I've watched on You Tube. Last year, I was going to put a Hot Tub on my back deck and the Electrician wanted about 3k to install a 220 outlet out back. Does that seem right? Good to know you're in Indy. I live in Lawrence.

[TheJoypool]

How should the cables enter a free standing panel do we need cable glands in such panels?

[meganw]

I gotta change out the screws that hold my panel cover on!
The ones that came with the house are the pointy, little ones, and I don't want stuff to be dangerous and/or not up to code!

[Mercy-lbrq]

Thank you for your post A question please how would one identify the common wire 100amp the ground where is Marked but not the common it's been installed in the pipe underground
Thank you for your time