Circuit Numbering in Panelboard

Status
Not open for further replies.

lj

Member
Location
Tampa, FL, USA
I am working on an Eaton/C-H residential 150A panelboard. The panel directory is numbered 1 through 30, but from bottom to top. The breakers are also installed starting at the bottom, so there are spaces at the top available for additional breakers. My practice has always been to number the circuits from top to bottom in a panelboard, and that's all I have seen until now. Is the panelboard numbered incorrectly? Thanks.
 
IMO it doesn't really matter from a code perspective, however why fix something that isn't broken. In 25+ years I've only installed panels starting with 1 at the top. :)
 
I recently installed some Siemens load centers upside-down, putting circuit 30 in the top left corner. I applied the supplied stickers over the numbers so nobody would notice. :)

Code is silent on it, panels can be mounted right-side up or upside-down, just not sideways.
 
Circuit Numbering in Panelboard

Thanks for the helpful replies, everyone. ActionDave, the panel is fed from the bottom, so your answer could make sense; I just never heard of that. A photo is attached.
 

Attachments

  • DSC02684 crop.jpg
    DSC02684 crop.jpg
    140.6 KB · Views: 4
I often feed panels from the bottom. If I have a meter & service disconnect on the pole & feed underground to the house. Also to a sub-panel, I put the lugs on the bottom to have more clear space for the wires coming in the top.
 
Circuit Numbering in Panelboard

JDB3, do your bottom fed panels have circuit numbering starting at the bottom, for example 1 through 30 from bottom to top? Thanks.
 
While the practice may be left to right, top to bottom .... this can become impractical when the panel has the numbers factory stamped into the steel, and the panel is mounted upside-down.

Personally, this is another reason I favor either putting labels on the breakers, or right next to them. This meets the 'directory' requirements- at least, according to the code committee.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top