1/3/2018 Do not get knocked out from a missing Knockouts (or unused openings).

d openings). Wenatchee Home Inspection | NCW Home Inspections, LLC

Home

CONTACT Home » Blog

INFORMATION
Do not get knocked out from a missing Knockouts (or unused openings).
Donald Hester
Washington State Licensed Submitted by DonHester on Mon, 10/05/2015 - 08:03.

Home Inspector #647

WSDA#80050
InterNachi Member Do not get knocked out from a missing Knockouts (or unused openings).
#NACHI10022401
509-670-9572 Wenatchee Home Inspec on
Contact Us

As home inspectors we see them all the me ”unused openings” in electrical boxes and electric panels
Home
(panelboards) that should always be covered.
About Me
Inspection Agreement-
Clients
Blog
Book An Inspection
Contact Us
Foundation Certifications
(order online)
Infrared Thermography
Inspection Photo Gallery
Links (businesses and
resources)
Pricing
Plug for knockouts
Sample Reports
What's Inspected
Building Code Questions These openings create poten al shock hazards, they might not properly contain a fire that could occur within the
Washington State box, and can admit unwanted visitors such as mice.
Standards of Practice
Qualifications
Areas Served
Sources
Product Recall Information
and Resources
FAQ's
General Home
Information
Homeowner Maintenace
and Safety Guides
City/County/State
Building Codes
Contractors
Reference Documents
Testimonials
"How To" Page
Credit Card Payment

search
site search by freefind advanced

Bad day for this li le guy

I actually know of a home that burned to the ground from a missing knockout.

NCW Home Inspections LLC

On Facebook
From the 2014 NEC Handbook-
http://www.ncwhomeinspections.com/Missing+knockouts+in+electrical+panels+and+devices 1/3
1/3/2018 Do not get knocked out from a missing Knockouts (or unused openings). Wenatchee Home Inspection | NCW Home Inspections, LLC
“The requirement of 110.12(A) for closing unused openings (other than those provided for equipment moun ng
or drainage) applies to all electrical enclosures, including panelboard cabinets, switchgear, and switchboard
NCW Home Inspections LLC
1 plus if you like us
enclosures. An unused opening may exist as a result of a renova on or an altera on of exis ng equipment. These
two requirements are necessary to restore the electrical equipment enclosure integrity to a condi on that
Tweet minimizes the possibility of an escaping arc, spark, or molten metal igni ng surrounding combus ble material
and also minimizes the poten al for accidental contact with live parts.”

Here is where the electrical code has the requirements-

2014 NEC - 110.12 Mechanical Execu on of Work.

Electrical equipment shall be installed in a neat and workmanlike manner.

FPN: Accepted industry prac ces are described in ANSI/NECA 1-2006, Standard Prac ces for Good Workmanship
in Electrical Contrac ng, and other ANSI-approved installa on standards.

(A) Unused Openings.

Check our Home Inspection
Reviews
Unused openings, other than those intended for the opera on of equipment, those intended for moun ng
on Angie's List
purposes, or those permi ed as part of the design for listed equipment, shall be closed to afford protec on
substan ally equivalent to the wall of the equipment. Where metallic plugs or plates are used with nonmetallic
enclosures, they shall be recessed at least 6 mm (¼ in.) from the outer surface of the enclosure.

From the 2014 NEC handbook-

“This sec on requires all unused openings other than those openings used for moun ng, cooling, or drainage to
be closed up.”

Filler plates for panelboards

2014 NEC - 408.7 Unused Openings

http://www.ncwhomeinspections.com/Missing+knockouts+in+electrical+panels+and+devices 2/3
1/3/2018 Do not get knocked out from a missing Knockouts (or unused openings). Wenatchee Home Inspection | NCW Home Inspections, LLC
Unused openings for circuit breakers and switches shall be closed using iden fied closures, or other approved
means that provide protec on substan ally equivalent to the wall of the enclosure.

“Codes are minimum standards and most houses are built by the lowest bidder”
Don Hester

NCW Home Inspec ons, LLC is a Licensed Washington State Home Inspec on service located in Wenatchee
Washington serving Chelan County, Douglas County, Ki tas County, Okanogan County and Grant County
Washington and the ci es of Wenatchee, Leavenworth, Cashmere, Oroville, Cle Elum, East Wenatchee, Quincy
and many more…
Your Wenatchee and Chelan Professional Real Estate, Home and Structural Pest Inspec on Service

Instructor- Fundamentals of Home Inspec on- Bellingham Technical College

www.ncwhomeinspec ons.com 509-670-9572

You can follow me on Facebook, Twi er, Google+ and on my website Blog.
» DonHester's blog Login to post comments

NCW Home Inspections, LLC Serving Chelan, Douglas, Okanogan, Kittitas and Grant Counties.
copyright North Central Washington Home Inspections, LLC 2016

ncwhomeinspections@gmail.com

Website hosted by Home Inspector Pro Home Inspection Software - Admin Login

http://www.ncwhomeinspections.com/Missing+knockouts+in+electrical+panels+and+devices 3/3