Electrical Service Panel

[mripoll]

On new residential construction, what is the minimum amount of open spaces in the service panel required to allow for future circuit breaker add ons? The service coming into the house is 200 amp and the entire panel was filled upon completion of the house construction. Was this within code?

 

[charlie b]

There is no related code requirement. It is not a good design practice to use up all the available spaces, but it is not a code violation.

 

[augie47]

As Charlieb states, no Code violation. If it helps you in discussion it is "encouraged" in 90.8

 

[cowboyjwc]

See it all the time out here and always pity the poor pool contractor who come in later.

 

[wawireguy]

The panel may not really be filled, if the breakers are full size breakers you can probably put mini breakers in. For every two full size breakers you take out you can put in four mini style breakers usually.

 

[480sparky]

The panel may not really be filled, if the breakers are full size breakers you can probably put mini breakers in. For every two full size breakers you take out you can put in four mini style breakers usually.

That's far from an accurate generalization. Some panels may accept tandems...... many won't.

 

[LarryFine]

For every two full size breakers you take out you can put in four mini style breakers usually.

Or a sub-panel feeder.

 

[electricalperson]

The panel may not really be filled, if the breakers are full size breakers you can probably put mini breakers in. For every two full size breakers you take out you can put in four mini style breakers usually.

good luck working in a 42 circuit panel with all mini breakers. i worked in a panel that had mostly minibreakers and it looked like a bowl of spaghetti. no space on egc or neutral bar at all. everything was doubled up under the screws

 

[wawireguy]

Luck has nothing to do with it and I did say probably.

 

[electricmanscott]

Sq D now has 42/52 and 40/60 circuit loadcenters.

 

[EBFD6]

Sq D now has 42/52 and 40/60 circuit loadcenters.

I don't even want to think about 60 circuits in a single load center.

Do they come with a shoe horn so you can get the cover on?

 

[480sparky]

............Do they come with a shoe horn so you can get the cover on?

I would turn to hydraulics first.

 

[electricguy61]

It's not an NEC requirement to have open spaces, but it's not uncommon for it to be a local requirement.

Oklahoma City (admittedly I haven't been a contractor there for a few years) used to require a minimum of 3 open spaces, as well as a 3/4" conduit into the attic space for future work. Not sure if this is still required.

 

[electricmanscott]

I don't even want to think about 60 circuits in a single load center.

Do they come with a shoe horn so you can get the cover on?

It's all about the installer.

Thers is no reason a 60 ckt panel cant be as neat or neater than a 30. There is no need to leave all that extra wire that guys seem to leave. I'll never understand what makes people loop the wire to the bottom of the panel and then back up to the breaker.

 

[infinity]

It's all about the installer.

Thers is no reason a 60 ckt panel cant be as neat or neater than a 30. There is no need to leave all that extra wire that guys seem to leave. I'll never understand what makes people loop the wire to the bottom of the panel and then back up to the breaker.

Ditto that. :roll:

 

[W=EI]

There are differwent ways to determine load and fill. If you find a circuit that is lightly loaded...and many are. If the 200 amp service is not at full capacity and few are. Then PERHAPS if you are sure of these items it may be possible to double-up a load onto the same breaker and gain some space... At least in a newer circuit breaker installation...now the old knob&tube; never...the old fuse boxes; rarely...those circuits were on pennies or 30amp fuses...