Easy Question for someone in the know!

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TigerBob

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In a residential application, are you allowed to have a "decorative" cover/ door over the panel box? I looked in the IRC and it does not say you can not, however a local electrician feels it is against code. It is not located in a closet but in a family room.

Thanks!
 
TigerBob said:
In a residential application, are you allowed to have a "decorative" cover/ door over the panel box? I looked in the IRC and it does not say you can not, however a local electrician feels it is against code. It is not located in a closet but in a family room.

Thanks!
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As long as this "door" or decorative cover permits you to have the required clearances in 110.26(A) you are OK.

Chris
 
I agree. There is no rule against hiding the "unsightly" electrical equipment behind a "pretty" picture. :smile: But wouldn't it be better just to paint the entire room gray, to match the panel, so that the panel blends into the rest of the space? :confused: ;) :grin:
 
Chenley said:
Would NEC'05 240.30(B) apply to this?
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I think you might be mis-reading that section.

240.30(B) permits the handle of the overcurrent device to be accessed without opening a door or cover, it does not require the overcurrent device to accessed without opening a door or cover.

Chris
 
raider1 said:
I think you might be mis-reading that section.

240.30(B) permits the handle of the overcurrent device to be accessed without opening a door or cover, it does not require the overcurrent device to accessed without opening a door or cover.

Chris
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Yeah, I did misread that. Really I can't find anything in the code book that prevents somebody from framing a cabinet around a panel, as long as the panels cover can be removed without disassembling the cabinet. That helps me out on a job that I currently am working on; Where the owner is wanting to build a cabinet around the panel, so that switches can be installed on the side of the cabinet for lighting.
 
Chenley said:
Yeah, I did misread that. Really I can't find anything in the code book that prevents somebody from framing a cabinet around a panel, as long as the panels cover can be removed without disassembling the cabinet. That helps me out on a job that I currently am working on; Where the owner is wanting to build a cabinet around the panel, so that switches can be installed on the side of the cabinet for lighting.
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Keep in mind that there can't be anything that sticks past the face of the panel and intrudes into the working space required by 110.26. Pay particular attention to 110.26(A)(3).

Chris
 
charlie b said:
I agree. There is no rule against hiding the "unsightly" electrical equipment behind a "pretty" picture. :smile: But wouldn't it be better just to paint the entire room gray, to match the panel, so that the panel blends into the rest of the space? :confused: ;) :grin:
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I like this idea. It appeals to my sense of aesthetics.:smile:
 
I can see it now, perusing the shelves of paint at HD:

Square D grey
General Electric grey
Siemens grey
Murray grey (see Siemens)
Cutler Hammer beige
 
my brother in law built plywood panels with decorative trim work that can be almost completly removed. This made it easier to work on the panels without having to remove permanate walls and such.
 
tonyou812 said:
my brother in law built plywood panels with decorative trim work that can be almost completly removed. This made it easier to work on the panels without having to remove permanate walls and such.
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Can you elaborate on your comment, it doesn't make any sense to me. :-?
 
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