sheet rocker screws to hang service panel..o.k. not o.k.

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ronnie-matic

ronnie-matic

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bucks county, pa.
work for new company, my former boss/instuctor-tech school, said not code to use sheet rock screws to hang service panel-100-200amp and so on, new company will grab any screw around for panel, rockers or other, is it code violation, would like to add rockers work great for everything.
 
The Code doesn't seem to care one way or another.
However sheet rock screws are designed for hanging drywall -- not panels. They are rather brittle and the heads sometimes snap off.
I would suggest using sheet metal screws with hex heads -- pointed for wood and self-drilling for metal studs 20 gauge or over. Use pointy for Home Depot 25 gauge studs.
~Peter
 
want to make all installs strong, i'am new to this company, can't tell them no unless i know its ""flat out wrong to do"" i think the right way is the best way, and see your point.
 
Re: sheet rocker screws to hang service panel..o.k. not o.k.

ronnie-matic said:
work for new company, my former boss/instuctor-tech school, said not code to use sheet rock screws to hang service panel-100-200amp and so on, new company will grab any screw around for panel, rockers or other, is it code violation, would like to add rockers work great for everything.
Click to expand...

Drywall screws in general have poor shear strength, so code or not your old boss isn't entirely out of bounds. They can be quite brittle, especially when over-torqued with a drill/driver on installation.
 
peter said:
I would suggest using sheet metal screws with hex heads -- pointed for wood and self-drilling for metal studs 20 gauge or over.
Click to expand...
I don't care for hex-head screws inside enclosures, because the edges of the head are sharp enough to cut into insulation.

I prefer pan-head screws, as Infinity mentioned (I think!)
 
Larry Fine wrote:
"I don't care for hex-head screws inside enclosures, because the edges of the head are sharp enough to cut into insulation. "
Most
ground scews are hex head,
~Peter
 
I am not a fan of sheet rock screws as they are usually only #6, I feel a #10 or #12 SMS will last much longer.

If you where nut and bolting a panel to a structure would you choose to use 6-32 nuts and bolts?

I doubt it.

The above is just my opinion no code reasons.

However if the equipment is outside or otherwise subject to corrosion...

300.6 Protection Against Corrosion.
Metal raceways, cable trays, cablebus, auxiliary gutters, cable armor, boxes, cable sheathing, cabinets, elbows, couplings, fittings, supports, and support hardware shall be of materials suitable for the environment in which they are to be installed.
Click to expand...

IMO typical black drywall screws are not suitable for use outdoors.

If I was an inspector I would use 300.6, of course simply changing to a galvanized drywall screw would take 300.6 out of the picture.
 
iwire said:
......I feel a #10 or #12 SMS will last much longer.
Click to expand...

Me too. I keep a box of #10 1" stainless PHSM screws in the bucket just for panel hanging.

I drill pilot holes for them even, one of those old habits I refuse to break. I keep one of those reversible driver/pilot bits (http://www.dewalt.com/us/products/accessory_category_detail.asp?categoryID=581) on my screw gun to make that go a little faster. In this age of powerful cordless tools, it's just too easy to overtorque, preload, or othewise strip out a screw if you're not careful. A few extra seconds of care during installation can prevent all of that.
 
The panheads also have the philips type head for easy drilling. The easiest way to make sure they use them is to stock a couple of boxes with the different lengths that we typically install, and the washers hold better with the panheads, than sheetrock screws.
 
Think of the installing being your house. A thin sheetrock screw or a better type of screw. I believe everyone would use the better screw. Just try to have a small box around of the good ones and we wouldn't have to worry about the panel pulling away from the wall. If we really think about it, it's more critical having the plywood or what ever is used thats mount behind the panel to be fasten very good. Again I don't really see anything in the book about sheetrock screws but not my choice.
Jim
 
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