Feeder panel (sub panel) in attic

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Sharpie

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I have an old two-family dwelling unit (apartments) to be re-wired. The upstairs appt. has the fuse box in the food pantry, and there's not enough space to replace with a new panel. I was thinking about putting the new panel in the attic. Any thoughts? :-?
 
sounds like a bad idea, whats going to happen on a weekend or holiday when they plug too many appliances and trip a breaker? most apt. tennants dont own ladders that I have run across.
 
ultramegabob said:
sounds like a bad idea, whats going to happen on a weekend or holiday when they plug too many appliances and trip a breaker? most apt. tennants dont own ladders that I have run across.
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Does the apartment have a walk-up staircase to attic?

Then sure, Why not?
 
I think I would be OK if I read this right.


110.26(E) Headroom The minimum headroom of working spaces about service equipment, switchboards, panelboards, or motor control centers shall be 2.0 m (6 1/ 2 ft). Where the electrical equipment exceeds 2.0 m (6 1/ 2 ft) in height, the minimum headroom shall not be less than the height of the equipment.

Exception: In existing dwelling units, service equipment or panelboards that do not exceed 200 amperes shall be permitted in spaces where the headroom is less than 2.0 m (6 1/ 2 ft).
 
Jim W in Tampa said:
The heat will be a factor and its a bad location to need go if anything fails.Could you not install this on a bedroom wall or hall ?
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I agree, the heat would be a big factor.
 
Sharpie said:
There is a walk-up staircase and wall-to-wall floorboards.
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Sounds like an acceptable location providing the circuits aren't maxxed out. Conductors gain heat from different sources, like the loads they're serving, the conductors adjacent to them (also serving loads) and the ambient temperature of the environment they're installed within. Provided the circuits are not loaded too heavily, and the cables are not bundled and can freely dissipate their heat, and the attic space is not too hot, it should be alright. :)
 
It might be legal, and its just my personal opinion, I just dont like the idea of a panel being up in the attic, Im not going to offer any logic to my thinking, I just dont like it, LOL... I would put it in the bedroom or hallway...
 
I went to a service call and had to go under the house. Their was standing water under it and I had to lay on my belly. Crawled overe to the center of the house.
I found a 125 amp panel installed with no more then 24 " clearance ( from the water to the top of the panel at the floor joices).
But, it was nice and cool down their. Who ever installed it must have said well at least heat is not a factor.
I didn't dare touch it. And told them they would need a complete service upgrade. Which they agreed.
 
stickboy1375 said:
Any different than on the outside of a building in Arizona or Florida?
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Yes a lot.The attics in FL can easily hit 120.Even on hot days outside its seldom more than 90's.Come on down here and lets see if you can last 15 minutes in a hot attic in summer.While outside is bad air is moving and you could work in that.
 
Sharpie said:
I have an old two-family dwelling unit (apartments) to be re-wired. The upstairs appt. has the fuse box in the food pantry, and there's not enough space to replace with a new panel. I was thinking about putting the new panel in the attic. Any thoughts? :-?
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There is nothing in the NEC that says you cannot do this as long as you have the head clearance, etc. Ambient temp would come into play but I have put a few in the attics and have never had a problem.
 
peter d said:
In Arizona, Nevada, and California outdoor temps regularly reach 100-120. I'm sure attics there are much hotter than that.
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Not sure about others but i refuse to go in attics in hot afternoons for much of anything.Perhaps a quick 5 minute job but not to work on panels.I agree its legal if working space is there but give yourself and the next man a break and put it in a wall.
 
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