Note the service entrance has only two hot wires and no ground.
Update: Some suggest metal cover but the reason I can't use metal is the grills or all the iron and enclosure are not grounded. We only use the United States two hot wires and don't use any neutral or ground. None of our appliances have any EGC. This is the reason I prefer flame retardant nonconductive panel cover. Is there any non flame retardant plastic?
In our compound we have 5 townhouses with each meter serving a house.
The panel is rusted and the cover gone. It would take us 3 weeks of power interruption to replace the whole thing because we have to apply for permit and it involves costs too and neighbors not willing. I initially thought of use cardboard to cover the breakers, but I suddenly thought what if someone would lit it with a match consindering it's outside in the street. Please suggest what kind of flame retardant nonconductive material to cover the open panel housing the breakers. Thank you.
Best Answer
Sheet Metal
That's really the only choice. That was almost certainly what was there before.
Conductive is actually NOT a problem. If it is designed and implemented correctly, the metal will not be in contact with ANY wires under normal conditions. There is, obviously, a concern if somehow the metal is in contact with one of the hot wires and then someone touches it. The solution to that problem is related to the other concern about a panel cover - access. Basically, you want access to be possible (a) without tools and (b) without contact should that be a concern. An ordinary breaker panel will have a door that on hinges that can be opened/closed easily - that is essentially what you want to build here. If it is done right, you will, if needed, be able to open/close with an insulated item (e.g., a dry wooden pole) to access the breakers. But the cover itself metal. Probably some sort of steel, though aluminum may be more corrosion resistant.