FSE panel in a closet

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Coppersmith

Coppersmith

Senior Member
Location
Tampa, FL, USA
Occupation
Electrical Contractor
Went to look at a panel change job. FSE panel in a clothes closet behind the door. (Packed with clothes!) I tell the HO the panel has to be moved to the opposite side of the wall which is outside. I don't think NEC requires the move but I think the inspector will. Even if he didn't, I'm not comfortable putting it back in the closet. What do you think?

I was going to use the existing panel as a j-box. Is this code compliant since it's exposed in a closet?
 
240.24 (D) Not in Vicinity of Easily Ignitible Material. Overcurrent
devices shall not be located in the vicinity of easily
ignitible material, such as in clothes closets.
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You might be able to argue it is not in the vicinity of the easily ignitable material if it is behind the door and well away from the actual clothing. I would not bet on an inspector accepting that idea most of the time.

I don't recall any prohibition on having a junction box in a closet though.

Can you just turn it around 180 degrees so the PB is on the wall away from the inside of the closet? Then you would not need to lengthen any wires.
 
petersonra said:
Can you just turn it around 180 degrees so the PB is on the wall away from the inside of the closet? Then you would not need to lengthen any wires.
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The outside is about 3 feet higher than the inside due to a crawlspace so too high to reach top breaker. Also outside panel would be surface mounted so a short chase would be needed between them. Both situations would make wires too short.
 
Tell the HO to remove all the contents of the closet and the hanger rod and put a sign on the door that reads "Electrical Room" :thumbsup:

Roger
 
roger said:
Tell the HO to remove all the contents of the closet and the hanger rod and put a sign on the door that reads "Electrical Room" :thumbsup:

Roger
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:D:thumbsup:

When did working space enter the NEC? Most of the closet installs Ive seen do not have the necessary minimum dimensions that Code requires now. Seeing a main panel on a side wall of a closet 2' deep and maybe 3' across is common even in some higher end homes built late 70s to early 80s.
 
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