Dedicated Electrical Space and Existing Conditions - Panel Boards and Splice Boxes

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xguard

Senior Member
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Baton Rouge, LA
I have an existing facility with a circuit breaker panel (a really old panel) I would like to add additional circuit breakers to. BUT the panel is directly under water pipes that are within the required 6 foot dedicated electrical space 110.26(E)(1) above the panel foot print. As far as dedicated electrical space, it seems I'm allowed to replace the existing panel with a splice box and install a new panel next to it but not under the piping.

1. Is it correct that because I'm adding/replacing breakers in the existing panel I need to bring the installation up to current code which is being violated because of the water pipes approx 4 feet above the panel?

2. Is it correct that splice boxes are not required to be provided with dedicated electrical space? ( I can read it in the code book that way (switchboard, panelboards, and motor control centers), but it just seems odd. I guess splice boxes don't have as complicated components as the equipment mentioned.)

Thanks for any feedback.
 
(E) Dedicated Equipment Space. All switchboards, switchgear,
panelboards, and motor control centers
shall be located in
dedicated spaces and protected from damage.

Code doesn't require you to provide dedicated equipment space for a splice box.
 
I would answer "yes" to both questions. But the first is really up to your local authority. I suspect the work will require a permit and an inspection, and I further suspect that the inspector would fail the install because of the existing water pipe. As to the second question, I believe (but have no written proof) that the reason for the dedicated space above (and below) panelboards (and the other items listed) is to allow for the future installation of conduits. A panelboard will have spare breakers, and thus it is likely that future conduits could be needed. A transformer, disconnect switch, VFD, or (in your case) splice box will not need future conduits.
 
1. How old is the install, was it code at the time of install?
2. The panel is already installed under these conditions; I have done plenty of installs like you're refering to and have not been red tagged for the situations, But the inspector metioned that it was not to current code; however, we are not installing a panel just adding an additional circuit. He may have you install a drip shield, But you should contact the AHJ and ask for his interpation. As for the splice box there are no working clearances required.



I have an existing facility with a circuit breaker panel (a really old panel) I would like to add additional circuit breakers to. BUT the panel is directly under water pipes that are within the required 6 foot dedicated electrical space 110.26(E)(1) above the panel foot print. As far as dedicated electrical space, it seems I'm allowed to replace the existing panel with a splice box and install a new panel next to it but not under the piping.

1. Is it correct that because I'm adding/replacing breakers in the existing panel I need to bring the installation up to current code which is being violated because of the water pipes approx 4 feet above the panel?

2. Is it correct that splice boxes are not required to be provided with dedicated electrical space? ( I can read it in the code book that way (switchboard, panelboards, and motor control centers), but it just seems odd. I guess splice boxes don't have as complicated components as the equipment mentioned.)

Thanks for any feedback.
 
1. How old is the install, was it code at the time of install?
2. The panel is already installed under these conditions; I have done plenty of installs like you're refering to and have not been red tagged for the situations, But the inspector metioned that it was not to current code; however, we are not installing a panel just adding an additional circuit. He may have you install a drip shield, But you should contact the AHJ and ask for his interpation. As for the splice box there are no working clearances required.

The building was constructed in the early 1970's. I have no idea what the code was then. I'm not positive if the piping is original or added later.
 
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