I work in a veneer mill and management wants to and a line next to one of our dryers. In order to do this the control panel for the dryer would have to be moved, a new feed run and several motors would require wire re-run. This cabinet is 20 + years old, all the starters and control relays are in one cabinet with no separators, exposed bus bars and two of the three doors can be opened while the system is energized. My question is: Is this considered new construction and if so would this panel need to be replaced. I've been having trouble finding a good reference in the NEC. Any help would be appreciated.
I think it would be considered new construction, but most production plants move things like that around in their plant without permits. In other words, if you're the employee, and they ask you to do it, I would.
If you're a contractor, and find you have to pull permits, then it would be considered new work. Even if it's new work, exposed bus bars, and non seperated motor starters are not illegal. You could have the door latch fixed, and move your panel. But if the company's got any money to spare, I would definately push to let you build a new panel completely, in your spare time in the shop, and swap them out in one day.