Branch circuits run behind service panel?

Status
Not open for further replies.
W

Westcoaster

Member
Location
Victoria, BC
Given a 200A residential service panel, horizontally mounted with 1-1/4" airspace behind (on 2x4 across existing studs)... This orientation is inspected and approved.

Currently the branch circuit section located at the top is pretty much full, all future capacity needs to be added to the bottom section, as the branch circuits come to the panel via the joist spaces above then run down the wall, can the circuits be neatly routed and properly clamped to the plywood behind the service panel itself and then up into the knock-outs located on that lower side?

I could not find reference to this in the NEC.

Thanks!
 
Westcoaster said:
Given a 200A residential service panel, horizontally mounted with 1-1/4" airspace behind (on 2x4 across existing studs)... This orientation is inspected and approved.

Currently the branch circuit section located at the top is pretty much full, all future capacity needs to be added to the bottom section, as the branch circuits come to the panel via the joist spaces above then run down the wall, can the circuits be neatly routed and properly clamped to the plywood behind the service panel itself and then up into the knock-outs located on that lower side?

I could not find reference to this in the NEC.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

By your location you are looking in the wrong book. We, that are under the NEC, cannot mount a panel horizontally. But if the CEC is close to the NEC and this is an existing install you may not need to clamp the wire to the plywood if it is fished in.
 
ceb58 said:
By your location you are looking in the wrong book. We, that are under the NEC, cannot mount a panel horizontally. But if the CEC is close to the NEC and this is an existing install you may not need to clamp the wire to the plywood if it is fished in.
Click to expand...

Ahhh yes, sorry, yes of course the CEC for Canada. See the picture for more details, you can see the new circuits and route I wish to follow (see black 8/2 and 14/2 left of center), the surface behind the panel is plywood.

Panel upgrade.jpg
 
You should ask someone who is qualified to do this work (meaning, they know what code their country uses) :lol:
 
I knew it was Canada when you said the panel was horizontal. Nec has no issue with this install and I suspect neither does the CEC
 
240.81 Indicating. Circuit breakers shall clearly indicate whether they are in the open "off' or closed "on" position.Where circuit breaker handles are operated vertically rather than rotationally or horizontally, the "up" position of the handle shall be the "on" position.
 
darekelec said:
240.81 Indicating. Circuit breakers shall clearly indicate whether they are in the open "off' or closed "on" position.Where circuit breaker handles are operated vertically rather than rotationally or horizontally, the "up" position of the handle shall be the "on" position.
Click to expand...

Not found in Canadian Code?

Tapatalk!
 
Westcoaster said:
Given a 200A residential service panel, horizontally mounted with 1-1/4" airspace behind (on 2x4 across existing studs)... This orientation is inspected and approved.

Currently the branch circuit section located at the top is pretty much full, all future capacity needs to be added to the bottom section, as the branch circuits come to the panel via the joist spaces above then run down the wall, can the circuits be neatly routed and properly clamped to the plywood behind the service panel itself and then up into the knock-outs located on that lower side?

I could not find reference to this in the NEC.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

All the electrons will leak out of that panel, it's on it's side!:D

I don't see a problem except you mentioned "clamping" the cables behind the panel. How do you plan to strap the cables behind the panel?

I don't think you can, nor would you need to. Just strap on either side and you'll be good.
 
LEO2854 said:
I don't think there is a problem with it, that panel looks funny...:D
Click to expand...

You mean you can make out the panel in that itty-bitty photo?
magnifyingglass.gif
 
Little Bill said:
All the electrons will leak out of that panel, it's on it's side!:D
Click to expand...

Is that why I am low on power? :p Where is Scotty when you need him?

Little Bill said:
I don't see a problem except you mentioned "clamping" the cables behind the panel. How do you plan to strap the cables behind the panel?

I don't think you can, nor would you need to. Just strap on either side and you'll be good.
Click to expand...

I guess I should have been more clear, yes strap the cables on either side...

Thanks for the feedback!
 
Westcoaster said:
Given a 200A residential service panel, horizontally mounted with 1-1/4" airspace behind (on 2x4 across existing studs)... This orientation is inspected and approved.

Currently the branch circuit section located at the top is pretty much full, all future capacity needs to be added to the bottom section, as the branch circuits come to the panel via the joist spaces above then run down the wall, can the circuits be neatly routed and properly clamped to the plywood behind the service panel itself and then up into the knock-outs located on that lower side?

I could not find reference to this in the NEC.

Thanks!
Click to expand...
I don't see any reason not to. Here on my side of whatever latitude it is that divides us the only rule is that you have to be an 1" and 1/4 away from the edge of a stud. Even if your panel was not mounted on 2X4's it would be okay; the 1 1/4" distance is not limited to depth.
 
I considered doing this once on an install in a post frame building with 2 x wall infills between the posts. The panel was mounted on the side of a post with a man door on the other side with about 14" space between the panel and the door and no space between the door and the corner post of the building - I dont know how easy that is to picture, but it did not give me a lot of room to work with. I figured out how to do it otherwise, but I did wonder if this was a faux-pas. I couldn't think of any reason why.
 
ggm said:
I considered doing this once on an install in a post frame building with 2 x wall infills between the posts. The panel was mounted on the side of a post with a man door on the other side with about 14" space between the panel and the door and no space between the door and the corner post of the building - I dont know how easy that is to picture, but it did not give me a lot of room to work with. I figured out how to do it otherwise, but I did wonder if this was a faux-pas. I couldn't think of any reason why.
Click to expand...

So did it read this right, you found an alternate way to bring in the branch circuits as opposed to running in the space behind the panel?

I figure the ample space and with some organization of the wires behind the panel, this would allow easy access to the bottom and keep the area neat and tidy. I also plan to "clean up" the upper section, I didn't install that and certainly don't like the look, a little effort and it could look a whole lot better. :happyyes:
 
Westcoaster said:
So did it read this right, you found an alternate way to bring in the branch circuits as opposed to running in the space behind the panel?

I figure the ample space and with some organization of the wires behind the panel, this would allow easy access to the bottom and keep the area neat and tidy. I also plan to "clean up" the upper section, I didn't install that and certainly don't like the look, a little effort and it could look a whole lot better. :happyyes:
Click to expand...

Appearances don't affect electron flow. When you follow behind somebody else you just have to work with what you've been given. Will the sloppy work be covered with sheet rock ? The only ones to critique electrical work are fellow electricians.
 
John120/240 said:
Appearances don't affect electron flow. When you follow behind somebody else you just have to work with what you've been given. Will the sloppy work be covered with sheet rock ? The only ones to critique electrical work are fellow electricians.
Click to expand...

Unfortunately no sheetrock to hide this, you are correct about a critique, those not in the industry tend to gloss over the details...
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top