Clearance above 120/240 V residential panel

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nizak

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I know that both the depth in front of the equipment (36") and the width (30") need to be adhered to, but what about the area above the panel when it's a flush mount type in a wall cavity that will be drywalled .

The only protrusion away from the wall will be the depth of the cover approx.1/8".

In the scenario I have to work with, there is 3" pvc plumbing that is 6" off the face of the wall to the plumbing edge, and 20" above the top of the panel.

My interpretation says it's code compliant. The plumbing inspector who has already walked through, tells me that the electrical inspector will fail the rough in due to the proximity of the
PVC.

I don't have any other option for placement in this small mechanical room.

Replies welcome.
 
nizak said:
I know that both the depth in front of the equipment (36") and the width (30") need to be adhered to, but what about the area above the panel when it's a flush mount type in a wall cavity that will be drywalled .

The only protrusion away from the wall will be the depth of the cover approx.1/8".

In the scenario I have to work with, there is 3" pvc plumbing that is 6" off the face of the wall to the plumbing edge, and 20" above the top of the panel.

My interpretation says it's code compliant. The plumbing inspector who has already walked through, tells me that the electrical inspector will fail the rough in due to the proximity of the
PVC.

I don't have any other option for placement in this small mechanical room.

Replies welcome.
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Working clearance is 36" in front and 30" wide to a height of 78" off finished floor or grade.

For the 6" protrusion it states that "other equipment associated with the elctrical installation".

Do you have 78" of clearance before you get to the PVC?

Me, I would call for the inspection and see how things turn out.
 
I am not quite following your description. Is the pvc pipe outside the wall cavity, so that it would be above the head of a person standing in front of the panel? If so, this is compliant. You can have a pipe above the working space, so long as it is more than 78" above the floor (which you say it is).
 
nizak said:
83" to the bottom of the pvc off floor
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In the wall would be a violation of the dedicated space for electrical equipment.

That high off the floor and in front of the panel, is outside the dedicated equipment space and above the working clearance space - sounds like the EI should approve it.
 
It is not in the wall. It would be above the head of a person standing in front of the flush mount panel.

It's one of those things that looks wrong simply because of the proximity and the configuration of it. It's a Y type fitting and it makes that immediate area look "busy"

Thank you all for your comments.
 
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