How many movements of the hand should it take to turn off all the breakers in a service panel with no main disconnect?

as many times times two as there are switches. All circuit boxes should have a main disconnect according to most electric codes and the NFPA, so that the box can be serviced or replaced safely. On household breaker panels the main disconnect is located beneath the service meter.

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The answer to this question is dependant upon how many breakers are in the panel. If you use the one finger method then the hand movement will equal the amount of breakers present in the load center. If you need all of the breakers off for some reason then use the outside of your hand and you can turn off eight at a time. If it is a 32 circuit load center then using this method it would take four hand movements.

This second answer is NOT recommended for safety reasons.

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Note: It is NOT recommended to put both hands into an electrical panel, as this could complete a circuit (from loose wires, broken switches, etc.) sending an electrical charge through the heart, stopping it. As few contacts as possible with the panel is recommended, one. Therefore, switches in a panel should only be thrown one at a time for the same reason; again, refer to electrical and NFPA Codes.