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Circuit panel cold drafts

bergsteiger1's picture

Circuit panel cold drafts (post #207064)

bergsteiger1 on Sun, 11/11/2012 - 14:25
in

Sorry, but there is no question here.  I keep getting the spam filter rejection so I will try again and add my real question later if this posts

-A +A

Circuit panel cold drafts (post #207064, reply #1 of 6)

by bergsteiger1 in reply to bergsteiger1 [original] on Sun, 11/11/2012 - 14:26

Here is my original question.  Hopefully it will post.

Does anyone have any suggestions for sealing drafts that are coming thru a circuit panel?  I thought of using expanding foam in some of the holes in the back of a circuit panel, but my suspicion is that if the foam expands too much into the panel interior I will ruin the panel and possibly foam the breakers into place.  The panel door/face is flush with the drywall, so I suppose I could make an insulated panel to cover over the entire panel face - qassuming this doesn't voilate code.  Any thoughts?  Thanks

If your question is about (post #207064, reply #2 of 6)

by DanH in reply to bergsteiger1 [original] on Sun, 11/11/2012 - 17:53

If your question is about getting a cold draft through the main conduit connection of a breaker panel, the solution is to get some "duct seal" (a putty sort of like plumber's putty only safe around wiring -- comes in a small "brick" -- any decent hardware store will have it) and use a wad of it to plug the conduit opening. 

You can do this "live" if you're careful, but it's probably safer to disconnect the power with the outside disconnect before poking a hand into the breaker panel.  And while you have the outside disconnect open you can (carefully!) seal from that end as well.


Of all the preposterous assumptions of humanity over humanity, nothing exceeds most of the criticisms made on the habits of the poor by the well-housed, well-warmed, and well-fed.  --Herman Melville

Circuit panel cold drafts (post #207064, reply #3 of 6)

by bergsteiger1 in reply to DanH [original] on Mon, 11/12/2012 - 10:31

Thanks for the suggestion, Dan.  I'll give that a try.

Note that you can use bits of (post #207064, reply #4 of 6)

by DanH in reply to bergsteiger1 [original] on Mon, 11/12/2012 - 18:09

Note that you can use bits of the putty to seal other penetrations into the box -- other cable openings, screw holes, etc.


Of all the preposterous assumptions of humanity over humanity, nothing exceeds most of the criticisms made on the habits of the poor by the well-housed, well-warmed, and well-fed.  --Herman Melville

Circuit panel cold drafts (post #207064, reply #5 of 6)

by bergsteiger1 in reply to DanH [original] on Mon, 11/12/2012 - 18:48

Thank again Dan.

BTW, i was wondering why respondents to a thread have to type in the subject each time they reply.  It seems like it should default to the original thread subject.  Maybe you are not the right person to ask this of.

You don't need to type in the (post #207064, reply #6 of 6)

by DanH in reply to bergsteiger1 [original] on Mon, 11/12/2012 - 19:38

You don't need to type in the "subject" -- it's not expected to be the same as the original thread subject, and it defaults to the first few words of the post, which is usually as good as anything.


Of all the preposterous assumptions of humanity over humanity, nothing exceeds most of the criticisms made on the habits of the poor by the well-housed, well-warmed, and well-fed.  --Herman Melville