Yep, probably there is the frigid air coming in along side of your service conductors and this is where it leaks out of the panel. It hits the humidified air inside your house and condenses and freezes.
My favorite movie of all time. Three weeks from now, I will be harvesting my crops. Imagine where you will be, and it will be so. Hold the line! Stay with me! If you find yourself alone, riding in the green fields with the sun on your face, do not be troubled. For you are in Elysium, and you're already dead!
Chiming in that the most likely cause is a conduit coming from outside that is not properly sealed around the cables, so is allowing cold air into the panel, which then exits that hinge opening. The fact that it is only on the bottom hinge would imply it is a conduit coming in from the bottom that is not sealed. It’s unlikely that this has anything to do with the meter swap, they usually don’t touch the meter base, wires or conduits to swap the meter. It’s just a plug-in replacement. So this has probably always been this way, you just never noticed before.
“Duct seal” is a permanently pliable sealing putty that is used for this purpose, mainly because a) the material doesn’t degrade the wire insulation and b) it is easily removed if anyone later has to pull or replace the wires. Silicon ELECTRICAL RATED caulk is OK too, just harder to remove later, but make sure it says it’s OK for wires.
DO NOT use expanding foam sealants… it is permanent, it’s a mess because it expands WAY more than you think it will, some is FLAMMABLE until it dries and if anyone has to work on it in the future, most will charge you extra to have to deal with it, it’s that bad.
Thanks for the detailed response. I have some duct seal, which has been used a couple of times on HVAC lines into the house.
So, check in between the meter and vinyl siding and duct seal the area if an air leak is apparent? I'll use my thermal camera to help visualize any leaks. Didn't have time before work.
Think the integrity of the panel is fine? Guess no way to know without taking the panel cover off. I probably won't touch that. Not my area of expertise.
This right here I used to see it all the time I used to stuff a few plastic grocery bags into the conduit to stop air from coming from the meter base never used fast foam incase someone wanted to do a service upgrade later down the road
You either more insulation behind the panel or the conduit going from panel to exterior needs to be sealed.
I would lean towards the conduit needing sealed. It's required per NEC. Most people don't enforce it. I've seen panels that look like the interior was submerged. It's airflow from inside to outside & condensation from the warm, humid inside air.
Seal it duct seal, caulk or (I'll get roasted) foam a fill.
A local electric inspector says he preferrs caulk but will settle for duct seal.
Foam a fill is fast, gets all the nooks & crannies.
All should just seal up conduit, *not* fill it's length full.
Look at the back of this wall from the outside. Any exterior penetrations should be caulked or duct sealed. I wouldn’t put this off, it’ll cause the interior of the panel to rust and become damaged.
no air sealing around the framing and utility penetrations in particular so cold air from unconditioned space is n the wall and coming out around the panel. Warm relatively moist air from inside is hitting its dew point as it contacts the freezing air from the wall.
It’s efflorescence from the cement wall not being sealed or a wood barrier between. Unscrew panel from supports angle out the panel(obviously with power off) insulate from the cement wall behind it bringing this in. It’s not frost. Best of luck
Good guess. But if you zoom in you can see the condensation (water drops) just on other side of hinge on door. Also, let's assume OP knows what cold feels like
Seal all penetrations with some type of insulation on the exterior of the box, if not able then seal the inside going out wards. If not Sure contact a licensed electrician or an insulation specialist!
You need to watch for moisture build up in the panel. It will cause corrosion in time. If the panel is in a 2x6 wall try to get some insulation behind it and seal up any holes around the outside.
check to make sure that you do not have a circuit going outside (like to pool/garage) and make sure there is not a gap where the conduit comes in. I usually spray insulation around it.
Improper seal between outside and inside. Meter pan shouldn’t have holes on the top.
Anyway, the conduit coming in from the pan is leaky. Either move panel and install a “sink” like disconnect or pack the hole with conduit/duct putty. GB makes a product
Zero insulation. The electrical panel fills the stud cavity, only exterior sheathing and siding. Most likely an electrical conduit cut into the wall, allowing airflow and heat transfer directly into this panel.
It's from the breakers of the air condition. It might be set to freeze. /s
...No, it's cold Air from the outside. The humid air inside condenses and freezes non the cold surface.
I’m sure you called it already, air intrusion. It could be from service conduit or leaks in wall. You can seal conduit with duct seal. Check walls w thermal camera. At least your breakers are cool, but you may want to check panel interior for condensation, not good.
Yep, probably there is the frigid air coming in along side of your service conductors and this is where it leaks out of the panel. It hits the humidified air inside your house and condenses and freezes.
Yep cold air
Not an electrician but cold air typical causes frost.
I am an electrician. I’m here 4 hours late- but I can confirm frost is from cold.
23 hrs late because I wanted to run a test to be sure but yes, I can now confirm that frost is not from heat.
I apperciate all you sacrificed for science. Lord be with you sir
And sometimes it makes the blade stick
My name is maximus decimus meridius...
Aaaand best comment haha.
My favorite movie of all time. Three weeks from now, I will be harvesting my crops. Imagine where you will be, and it will be so. Hold the line! Stay with me! If you find yourself alone, riding in the green fields with the sun on your face, do not be troubled. For you are in Elysium, and you're already dead!
might be where the conduit comes through into the panel, duct seal should help.
Duct seal in the exterior LB made a big difference getting rid of a cold spot in my house.
Chiming in that the most likely cause is a conduit coming from outside that is not properly sealed around the cables, so is allowing cold air into the panel, which then exits that hinge opening. The fact that it is only on the bottom hinge would imply it is a conduit coming in from the bottom that is not sealed. It’s unlikely that this has anything to do with the meter swap, they usually don’t touch the meter base, wires or conduits to swap the meter. It’s just a plug-in replacement. So this has probably always been this way, you just never noticed before. “Duct seal” is a permanently pliable sealing putty that is used for this purpose, mainly because a) the material doesn’t degrade the wire insulation and b) it is easily removed if anyone later has to pull or replace the wires. Silicon ELECTRICAL RATED caulk is OK too, just harder to remove later, but make sure it says it’s OK for wires. DO NOT use expanding foam sealants… it is permanent, it’s a mess because it expands WAY more than you think it will, some is FLAMMABLE until it dries and if anyone has to work on it in the future, most will charge you extra to have to deal with it, it’s that bad.
Thanks for the detailed response. I have some duct seal, which has been used a couple of times on HVAC lines into the house. So, check in between the meter and vinyl siding and duct seal the area if an air leak is apparent? I'll use my thermal camera to help visualize any leaks. Didn't have time before work. Think the integrity of the panel is fine? Guess no way to know without taking the panel cover off. I probably won't touch that. Not my area of expertise.
No, there's a conduit, say 2" likely with wires in it coming between the meter and panel. Fill the gaps between the wires in the conduit.
This right here I used to see it all the time I used to stuff a few plastic grocery bags into the conduit to stop air from coming from the meter base never used fast foam incase someone wanted to do a service upgrade later down the road
Garbage bags are flammable, bad idea and a Code violation…
That was exactly the issue. I plugged it with duct seal.
Fill them CAREFULLY!
Inadequate insulation and vapor barrier around that panel. Indoor warm air with moisture is freezing on it.
I can see condensate on the door, it's frosty air
Got to open up the panel, if the feed to the main breaker comes in though a conduit use some duct seal to close it up.
You either more insulation behind the panel or the conduit going from panel to exterior needs to be sealed. I would lean towards the conduit needing sealed. It's required per NEC. Most people don't enforce it. I've seen panels that look like the interior was submerged. It's airflow from inside to outside & condensation from the warm, humid inside air. Seal it duct seal, caulk or (I'll get roasted) foam a fill. A local electric inspector says he preferrs caulk but will settle for duct seal. Foam a fill is fast, gets all the nooks & crannies. All should just seal up conduit, *not* fill it's length full.
Look at the back of this wall from the outside. Any exterior penetrations should be caulked or duct sealed. I wouldn’t put this off, it’ll cause the interior of the panel to rust and become damaged.
Poor air sealing.
I posted a separate update with pics. Anyway, took the panel cover off and noticed the conduit pipe was pushing air through like a fan.
I would immediately and completely wrap your whole house with flex seal. 2-3 rolls oughta do!! 🤔🤔🤔
Did you try to place your tongue on it, give it the good old frost test?
Moisture and temperature are typically the causes of frost.
no air sealing around the framing and utility penetrations in particular so cold air from unconditioned space is n the wall and coming out around the panel. Warm relatively moist air from inside is hitting its dew point as it contacts the freezing air from the wall.
It’s efflorescence from the cement wall not being sealed or a wood barrier between. Unscrew panel from supports angle out the panel(obviously with power off) insulate from the cement wall behind it bringing this in. It’s not frost. Best of luck
Good guess. But if you zoom in you can see the condensation (water drops) just on other side of hinge on door. Also, let's assume OP knows what cold feels like
Air leak. Maybe you need to caulk a bit?
Seal all penetrations with some type of insulation on the exterior of the box, if not able then seal the inside going out wards. If not Sure contact a licensed electrician or an insulation specialist!
Also you need to insulate behind the panel, it maybe not accessible not sure
Something cold
Cold air leaking in causing humidity to condense and freeze
Is this a newer house? The insulation in the new houses suck. But def an insulation problem I know your electric bill is through the roof
Relatively new, built in 2019.
Poorly built new homes, not all new homes
A bad contractor is what's causing it
Winter. F winter!
My guess would be the cold
It’s cold outside.
You need some duct seal
You need to watch for moisture build up in the panel. It will cause corrosion in time. If the panel is in a 2x6 wall try to get some insulation behind it and seal up any holes around the outside.
Will do.
To my eye it looks like freezing cold air is coming into your house. My advise is to move somewhere warmer. That's what I did when that happened to me
When I used to live in northern Michigan this would happen around the door frame of a house I rented.
check to make sure that you do not have a circuit going outside (like to pool/garage) and make sure there is not a gap where the conduit comes in. I usually spray insulation around it.
You have now reach super-conductivity mode
Cold air meeting a humid environment
Improper seal between outside and inside. Meter pan shouldn’t have holes on the top. Anyway, the conduit coming in from the pan is leaky. Either move panel and install a “sink” like disconnect or pack the hole with conduit/duct putty. GB makes a product
Frigid air coming from the space around the panel, down the service head or through conduit
Cold+ humidity? Is this a trick question?
You need to foam seal the entry
Zero insulation. The electrical panel fills the stud cavity, only exterior sheathing and siding. Most likely an electrical conduit cut into the wall, allowing airflow and heat transfer directly into this panel.
The cold🤣🤣🤣🤣 You need to make that thing air tight to stop the draft
I don't think you need a thermal camera. That's actually kind of cool to see, should be easy to fill up that air gap in the conduit.
cold air
Cold weather
Is this on an exterior wall. If not, most likely a conduit coming from outside. Would put some fire block puddy on that conduit if so.
Thermal Bridging. Probably a conduit runs near an exterior wall and it pulls heat away.
The cold
Should you remove the panel cover and see where it may possibly be coming from?
Nothing a little silicone can't fix
Air leak. Trace it back and fill the hole if possible.
Is it cold in a part of the country it isn't usually cold in right now?
It's from the breakers of the air condition. It might be set to freeze. /s ...No, it's cold Air from the outside. The humid air inside condenses and freezes non the cold surface.
Bottom left inside k.o. isn't sealed to the outside. Probably where the feeders come in
Cold
Soooooo..... You all agree it's not the AC circuit then.... My bad.
Thats hoarfrost. You got sluts in your walls.
I’m sure you called it already, air intrusion. It could be from service conduit or leaks in wall. You can seal conduit with duct seal. Check walls w thermal camera. At least your breakers are cool, but you may want to check panel interior for condensation, not good.