Circuit Breaker Panel Cover Screws *(where to post this?)

Status
Not open for further replies.
iwire said:
Personally I think your being a bit over the top here.
Click to expand...

I suppose you're right -- sorry about that. I simply wanted to restore the panels to the way they were designed.

But you and SiddMartin posted some good alternative solutions. Thank you all for your input!
 
a stove bolt will usually fit in a panel screw hole, but you may still need to retap it. Or you could tap it larger and as Bob said use a 10/32, though a stove bolt may be close to that any ways.
 
Last edited:
To me this is pretty much a non issue but.....


The panel screws, pointy or not WILL peirce the insulation of conductors. Trust me! Then you learn to make sure the wires are clear of the screw landing zone.



For lost screws a ground screw ususally does the trick. Plus they're green so they are better. :grin:
 
iwire said:
No that was Googled image. I always have 3 browser tabs open. The new posts, Google and who's online. Yeah, I have issues. :grin:
Click to expand...


Nerds.jpg
 
chris kennedy said:
Doesn't NERD stand for:

Not even remotely dorky?
Click to expand...

National Establishment for Real Dorks.

Never-Ending Radical Dude.

Narrative, Expositive, Reflective, Descriptive.

Nobody/No one Ever Really Dies.

Network Emergency Repair Dude / Diva.

No Evidence of Recurrent Disease.

Not Enough Real Daylight.

Norms Evolving in Response to Dilemmas.
 
Jon456 said:
Yup, that's a very good idea. But it doesn't solve my problem. :(

Not only do I not have a stash of old panel cover screws (can these even be purchased seperately?), but even if I had replacements, they will no longer hold as the mounting holes in the panel have been enlarged by the use of the improper sheet metal screws.

Surely, I'm not the first guy here to encounter this problem?
Click to expand...
use toggle bolts
 
Jon456 said:
the specs of panel cover screws? The panel I'm currently working on is a Square D panel, but I think all panels use the same type of cover screws.
Click to expand...

Ask your distributor, Square D sells replacement screws.
 
steelersman said:
use toggle bolts
Click to expand...
lol i like that one, i could see that getting exciting quick for the next guy that opens that can. but as for the op i dont like to see self tapers in a cover either. but just drill and tap 50 cents worth of screws and 10 minutes of your day and your problem is solved. also i dont know who said it but ANY screw will pierce insulation then you have to change your pants and youve got wire to fix and laundry to do so be sure that they are not in the way.
 
"It would appear that previous workers had dropped or otherwise lost the OEM panel cover screws"
0 That is the problem right there. It is very common for unsmart people to forget or not realize to look into the future. Sorta like a chess game.
The trick is to 1] remove the screws; 2] remove the cover 3] replace the screws in their holes. This way the screws don't get lost. It is especially useful when different sized or length screws are used.

That aside, screws in panels usually are 10-32 or 1/4-20. Available at most hardware stores, etc. Try to get Phillips head which is an improvement.
If the panel makers wanted to be helpful to us worker drones, they would use studs.
~Peter & Cat, the Cat Human
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top