Equipment Approval and Field Modification
You are an FSR inspecting a new installation of a 400A service at a small industrial shop. The service equipment is a used switchboard that the owner purchased online. The switchboard has a label from a recognized certification body, but the label is damaged and partially illegible. The owner has modified the switchboard by adding a 200A breaker for a welder, drilling new holes in the busbar, and replacing the main breaker with a higher-rated one. The modifications were done by the owner's maintenance person, who is not a licensed electrician. The switchboard is installed in a location with adequate working clearance, but the conduit entries are not sealed. The owner wants you to approve it because it 'works fine.' The utility has already connected power. The shop is operational. You notice that the grounding electrode conductor is undersized.
1. What are the code and regulatory issues with the modified switchboard, and can you approve it?
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The switchboard is field-modified in ways that likely violate its certification. The damaged label makes it impossible to verify the original ratings. Drilling new holes in the busbar can compromise its integrity and current-carrying capacity. Replacing the main breaker with a higher-rated one may exceed the busbar rating. The grounding electrode conductor is undersized per CEC Rule 10-700. The conduit entries not sealed may allow moisture ingress. As FSR, you cannot approve the installation as-is. You must require that the switchboard be recertified by a recognized certification body (e.g., CSA, ULC) for the modifications, or replaced with a listed assembly. The owner must obtain a permit for the modifications and use a licensed electrician. You should issue a non-compliance notice and notify Technical Safety BC. You cannot rely on the damaged label; the equipment must be clearly marked with its ratings.
2. What steps must the owner take to bring the installation into compliance, and what is your role in verifying it?
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The owner must: 1) Engage a licensed electrician to remove the unauthorized modifications and restore the switchboard to its listed configuration, or replace it with a new listed switchboard; 2) Obtain a permit for the corrected work; 3) Have the switchboard field-evaluated and labeled by a recognized certification body if modifications are to be retained; 4) Correct the grounding electrode conductor size per CEC Table 16; 5) Seal all conduit entries to maintain the enclosure rating; 6) Provide a new panel schedule and load calculation. Your role as FSR is to inspect the corrected work, verify that the equipment is properly labeled and listed, and ensure all code requirements are met. You must document the corrections and provide a declaration of compliance to the AHJ. You should also verify that the utility connection was done with proper authorization.