Can one paint the external portion of electrical pannels/ boxes?-

[bhaltom]

Can the exterior of electrical panel boxes, (460v, 280v)be pained? Is there an arc flash hazard to brush painting (exterior only, closed box)? Does the box need to be de energized? Does the box have to be the standard gunmetal grey color, or is this regulated?

Thanks,
bh

 

[dpc]

No restriction on exterior color.

I don't really see an issue with painting, but I supposed an idiot could spill paint into an opening and perhaps create an arc across live parts.

I wouldn't be worried at all about a 208 V or 240 V panel in terms of arc-flash hazard. 480/277 V gear might be another story.

 

[77JQX]

Don't know about arc-flash issues during painting, but we often pain our enclosures white to reduce solar heating.

 

[cranky108]

We even allow customers paint the curb side transformers, as long as they don't paint the ID numbers.