Junction Box-Accessible or Not

[readydave8]

I think it is still accessible according to the definition of accessible in the NEC.

Unless the new panel would be considered part of the finish?

Usually we do not have to remove panel box to acess splices.

 

[Sierrasparky]

You need to bring those conduits forward or use a gutter or something similar with an accesable cover.

 

[growler]

The only things I see to consider is if a lintel should be installed above the panel where the blocks would be cut, and if the position of the pipes will allow a shallow loadcenter to come forward flush with the wall.

There probably should have been a lintel above this box to start with.

I would remove this box and make the hole bigger than needed for the new panel at the top by a foot or so. There a lintel would be placed for support. but there would be enough room to get into the top of the new panel. Cover the opening with plywood/sheetrock until needed.

I doubt that the new box will come forward enough to be flush with the sheet rock ( service conduit already at back of box ) but you could cut the sheetrock around the panel cover allowing it to mount flush.

So they have to spend a few bucks to get a mason to fix this wall, it's not right at present.

 

[growler]

Usually we do not have to remove panel box to acess splices.

:happyno:
Not even in Georgia.....

 

[Sierrasparky]

Never legal in any state I worked in

 

[readydave8]

:happyno:
Not even in Georgia.....

Yeah but you notice I didn't say never?:happyno:

 

[JDBrown]

Other side is the same less the panel. It is just block covered with sheetrock. Problem is that it is a separate building that may have a separate tenant.

Can you cut an access panel into the opposite side of the wall? Then the interior of the old box would be accessible without removing the new panelboard. The access panel would be inside the other tenant's space, but if it's empty now and you're doing the work for the building owner, that may not be too much of an issue. It's not like locating the panelboard inside a different tenant space -- the splices shouldn't need to be accessed unless there's another remodel or a big problem.

 

[petersonra]

Never legal in any state I worked in

would code does it violate?

 

[growler]

would code does it violate?

If you were to mount one panel over the other this would not be considered accessable.


If you were to only partially cover the panel and leave some sort of cover that would not be blocked that could be a different story.

Most electricians have the tools to remove that panel with no problems. They can do a decent job with very little trouble and no splices in the service cable ( may need a bottom feed main breaker).

To get a mason to repair the wall will probably cost about the same as hiring a carpenter to do a bump out .

The real thing to worry about is if this wall is a fire wall between tenant spaces. Don't want to mess with the fire rating.