Inset loadcenter into cabinet?

[JoeNorm]

I have a contractor wanting to install a panel so that it is inset into an existing built-in cabinet. Imagine the panel being placed into a small nook, maybe 10" deep.

Does this raise working clearance concerns? Does the flush edge of the panel need to maintain a clear plane for 30" from the centerline?

They ultimately want to be able to close a cabinet door to hide the panel.

 

[ptonsparky]

It does raise clearance concerns at 10" deep.
30" width and it does not need to be centered.

eta: I've seen doors installed over flush mounted panels that never resulted in a tag but YMMV.

 

[charlie b]

Does this raise working clearance concerns? Does the flush edge of the panel need to maintain a clear plane for 30" from the centerline?

Yes and yes, in that order. Imagine taking it to an extreme, with the front edge of the panel (let us say an an example) 12 inches deeper than the front edge of the cabinet. You would have to reach so far into the cabinet that your hands and arms would be seriously constrained. It would not be even close to being safe.

 

[ptonsparky]

I see no reference as to centerline.
It does say the doors must be able to open at least 90 degrees.
110.26(A)(2)

 

[JoeNorm]

OK so current desires by contractor not possible. What about being recessed just enough to have a cabinet door close over it?

In that case the front cover would only be ~1" behind the plane of the cabinets

 

[JohnE]

Depending on the cabinet door style, the loadcenter could possibly be mounted nearly flush. The cabinet may not have an inset style door.

 

[NEC Inspector]

OK so current desires by contractor not possible. What about being recessed just enough to have a cabinet door close over it?

In that case the front cover would only be ~1" behind the plane of the cabinets

I would pass that all day long. It is a technical violation of an extremely broad code section that was never designed with this particular installation in mind.

An inspector who writes this correction is technically correct, but they are ultimately shooting themselves in the foot. An inspector needs to save their clout for problems that matter because they answer to people with limited technical knowledge who are pre-disposed to let stuff go anyway.