So it appears I have an old Cutler-Hammer breaker. My 100-year-old house was entirely re-wired about 7 years ago, and the electrician had left a cardboard cover with cut-outs for the breakers, instead of putting a metal panel cover on. After finishing 97% of work in the house and getting the inspection, the electrician disappeared. No calls answered or returned in a year of trying. He didn't owe too much based on items I'd paid for in advance so it didn't seem worth pursuing in court. I'd heard rumour that he had some health problems, but now I think this might be why he avoided me.

Fast forward 6 years. I've been living in the house for a while, but hadn't gotten a final inspection for the use and occupancy permit. When I recently did get an inspector in he failed me for not having a cover (I had taken the cardboard off). I bought (and returned) an Eaton CH8LF - it fits the 39" box and screw holes, but the hole for the main breaker doesn't come close to lining up with mine (hole too low, plus vertical orientation instead of the horizontal I need), and it's for 42 circuits instead of my 40. I went and checked the CH8KF, made for a 37" box. It's just tall enough that I could have it cover the height and I could drill some screw holes to fit, but the hole for the main and other breakers are still way off.

In talking with the clerks at a couple stores (Rexel and a local supplier) it sounds like there may have been a change-over 10-12 years ago, no one makes a cover for this any more, and they didn't give me any direction on where to go from here. My guess is now that the electrician used an old box from his truck (trying to save a few bucks) and hoped he could find a cover.

Two questions: 1) Does anyone know what the model might be for this box, and 2) What might I do to get the inspection passed? So maybe it's more a question for those of you who know code or inspectors.

Options that I can see, in order of my happiness: I'm quite happy to do the cardboard again and see what the inspector says. Assuming that doesn't work ... fabricating something out of wood/plastic. Finding another brand that I can retrofit to the box and breakers. Finding an old model number and somebody selling one online. Checking a bunch of second-hand hardware resale places and getting lucky for one that has this box and panel. Paying an electrician to totally move everything into a different box that has a panel.

I should mention that there's no identifying stickers inside, but one mentions Cutler Hammer. Based on their diagrams (found here: http://www.eaton.com/Eaton/ProductsServices/Electrical/ProductsandServices/Residential/ LoadcentersandCircuitBreakers/BRLoadcenters/index.htm#tabs-2 page 28) it clearly has their knockout holes).

Any help or advice is greatly appreciated. Obviously I'd like to be living in the house legally and will want a real panel even if I can get past the inspection without one.

This post was edited by bmore_rehabber on Tue, Jan 6, 15 at 16:22