Breaker panel goof-up

[paac]

Wasn't sure what forum to post this in.

I framed my basement, remounted my electric panel in the framing and then had the walls sprayed with foam insulation. The guy that did it sprayed behind the panel thereby locking it in place.

I didn't think much of it until I went to do the drywall and discovered that, in my rush to get it done, I mounted the panel flush with the framing. Now I have 1/2" between the panel and the drywall and the cover won't fit on.

It's a 200amp GE main breaker panel. Do they sell an "oops" cover for idiots like me?:roll: I've been looking around online and can't find anything.

Thanks

 

[scwirenut]

this is what i would do, place the cover on the panel as it should be, then pencil around the cover, then cut out the sheetrock so the cover will recess as well, then build a cabinet door on hinges around the whole thing for good looks

 

[mivey]

If you really want to unburden yourself:

Cut out a section of drywall above & below, shift the panel out, insulate+replace cutouts+mud+sand+paint. Now you won't have that burden in the back of your mind every time you walk past the panel.

 

[paac]

this is what i would do, place the cover on the panel as it should be, then pencil around the cover, then cut out the sheetrock so the cover will recess as well, then build a cabinet door on hinges around the whole thing for good looks

Wow. That one was just staring me in the face. My wife and I had even discussed covering it prior to the goof-up. Again, Wow. Being laid-off is killing my thought process.

Thanks.

 

[paac]

If you really want to unburden yourself:

Cut out a section of drywall above & below, shift the panel out, insulate+replace cutouts+mud+sand+paint. Now you won't have that burden in the back of your mind every time you walk past the panel.

I tried before I hung the drywall over it. Unfortunately, the panel isn't going anywhere. That insulation isn't going to let go of the panel. It almost becomes part of whatever it touches when first sprayed. I'd have to completely destroy the panel to get it to move at all.

 

[mivey]

I tried before I hung the drywall over it. Unfortunately, the panel isn't going anywhere. That insulation isn't going to let go of the panel. It almost becomes part of whatever it touches when first sprayed. I'd have to completely destroy the panel to get it to move at all.

Not sure what kind you have, but most of the spray foam I've run across cuts quite easy. Granted, I have never had a panel buried in it so that is why I suggested removing the drywall so you would have room to clear the conductors next to the panel and have room to run a hand saw (or stiff sheet metal, etc) up the back of the panel from below and above.

If you have a lot of conductor entries into the back, I can see where this would be a big deal.

 

[paac]

Not sure what kind you have, but most of the spray foam I've run across cuts quite easy. Granted, I have never had a panel buried in it so that is why I suggested removing the drywall so you would have room to clear the conductors next to the panel and have room to run a hand saw (or stiff sheet metal, etc) up the back of the panel from below and above.

If you have a lot of conductor entries into the back, I can see where this would be a big deal.

It's the closed cell foam. When he goes around to trim excess foam and overspray, he has to use a hand saw. He said he's been doing it for years, and that's the easiest way he's found to do it. The open cell foam cuts a lot easier.

I tried yanking, prying, praying, pleading, etc., but nothing worked. When I asked the foam guy about it, he just laughed and said sorry about my luck. "Once it's on, it's on." :grin:

Thanks for the input though:smile:

 

[busman]

I think that if this is expanding polyurethane insulation, that it can be cut with a hot wire knife. See the following link for an example. As long as you can disconnect the wire to get it into place, it should take about 10 seconds to free the panel.

http://hotwirefoamfactory.com/home.php

Mark

 

[busman]

Sorry. Meant Poly-styrene. Polyurethane needs to be mechanically cut.

 

[paac]

Sorry. Meant Poly-styrene. Polyurethane needs to be mechanically cut.

This is polyurethane. It's tough stuff. Like I said earlier, it's the closed cell type. I saw a home improvement show one time that said the open cell just got sprayed and then trimmed with a hot knife/wire.

I asked the guy if that could be done with what he was putting on and he said he wished it could, it's make his job a lot easier.

At this point, I think I'm going to go with scwirenut's recommendation. Thanks again.