Hint: Parking lot panelboard problems
Scroll Down to See the Answer
I spotted this panelboard while driving my car into a local parking lot. The panelboard is certainly not very weatherproof with the cover wide open and flapping in the breeze.
This open cover defeats the requirements outlined in Sec. 312.2, which states that surface-type enclosures in wet locations must be placed or equipped to prevent water and moisture from entering and accumulating in the cabinet. Enclosures in wet locations are required to be weatherproof. That won’t happen with the cover wide open.
In addition, a couple of circuit breaker blanks are missing from the internal cover, exposing energized bus bars and breaker terminals. This is a violation of Sec. 408.7, which requires these unused openings to be closed up using identified closures or other approved means. The missing breaker blanks could also be considered a violation of Sec. 110.27 because the live parts are exposed and are no longer effectively guarded against accidental contact. Small fingers like those of a child could easily reach inside the panelboard and receive a dangerous shock.
On another note, the rusted metal raceways coming up out of the ground may be in need of some additional approved corrosion protection as specified in Sec. 300.6(A)(3).