Electrical panel in sauna room?
- Thread starter David56
- Start date
- Location
- Tennessee NEC:2017
- Occupation
- Semi-Retired Electrician
I am allowing this as it's only a code question. No "how to" replies please.
LarryFine
Master Electrician Electric Contractor Richmond VA
- Location
- Henrico County, VA
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor
I wouldn't want to regularly expose the panel to that much humidity.
Our sauna isn't humid, but it is hot. Interior temperature is typically 120F (you can set it up to 140F). Seems to me putting a panel in a dry sauna is like putting a panel in a hot attic or on a southern exterior wall in a hot sunny climate. The high ambient could cause breakers to trip that don't normally trip. Not sure if it would lower the life of anything. GFCI/AFCI breakers may have a shorter life from the heat.
jaggedben
Senior Member
- Location
- Northern California
- Occupation
- Solar and Energy Storage Installer
Or heat.
Unless it’s a steam sauna, the relative humidity drops as it heats up. Still doesn’t mean it’s a good place for a panel!
rc/retired
Senior Member
- Location
- Bellvue, Colorado
- Occupation
- Master Electrician/Inspector retired
I don't see where the NEC prohibits the installation in a dry sauna.
Ron
Ron
jaggedben
Senior Member
- Location
- Northern California
- Occupation
- Solar and Energy Storage Installer
The temp inside a dry sauna according to google can be 200 degrees F. That is just not a suitable location for your typical electrical equipment. If I were the inspector I would ask for documentation from the manufacturer that it's safe to install in such an ambient temp or else fail it citing 110.3(A)(1) and (5).
letgomywago
Senior Member
- Location
- Washington state and Oregon coast
- Occupation
- residential electrician
Not trying to break into how to but
Is it possible for you to hire an electrician to move the panel? A junction box I wouldn't worry about but the breakers function in a manner similar to thermostats to trip on overload.
Is there some way to do an outdoor sauna for you vs doing this right in the panel area?
Is it possible for you to hire an electrician to move the panel? A junction box I wouldn't worry about but the breakers function in a manner similar to thermostats to trip on overload.
Is there some way to do an outdoor sauna for you vs doing this right in the panel area?
175F is the highest I can tolerate. I’m sure there are folks hardier then me who might be able to go higher. It’s definitely too hot for standard electrical equipment.
PaulMmn
Senior Member
- Location
- Union, KY, USA
- Occupation
- EIT - Engineer in Training, Lafayette College
Doesn't a dry sauna have a pile of hot rocks and you dash a scoop of water over the rocks every now and then? Not as dry as you think!
That makes it a steam sauna.
Many of the popular ones sold today are infrared. Definitely no steam.