Inverted Breaker panel

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woofy

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I was at a remote ranch today and found a 200amp panel turned upside down. (Main at the bottom.) I tried to find something. article 110- as per any instuctions. Article 312 talks about everything but a top or bottom.
I've never seen, or heard of one like this, so Ive come to the big dogs.

thanks........Mike

[ November 10, 2004, 08:23 PM: Message edited by: woofy ]
 
Re: Inverted Breaker panel

I install panels (main breaker down) regularly. It depends on if the entrance cable enters top or botton as for the conveinance. Have not ever seen this in moble homes? All CH BR panels are reversable. among others
 
Re: Inverted Breaker panel

These cb's are horizontal throws. the service comes from the bottom. I understand why it was done, just haden't seen it before.

404.7 refers to vertical throws--- down must be off.
right.
 
Re: Inverted Breaker panel

woofy,

Try 404.8 for height Aff.
I have seen this before where the top breaker was about 82" high. Red tagged for that.

rbj, Seattle

[ November 11, 2004, 05:47 AM: Message edited by: gndrod ]
 
Re: Inverted Breaker panel

I guess that this is what I ment. I can find out just about everthing about a breaker panel exept whether there is a top or bottom. If a "top" was marked on the box like a weather proof box you would follow, 110, mfg's instructions.

makes ya go hhmmm.......Mike :D
 
Re: Inverted Breaker panel

Manufactures started mounting the main breakers to allow the panel to be used in eather position so when doing a back to back installation on a 200 amp service the meter wont be higher than the 5' requirment that most utilitys require. and the main breaker can be lower as well. On a 200 amp panel if you use the top KO the meter will be to high or the panel will be on the floor. If you use the bottom KO the meter will be very low and the SE wires will have to run up one side of the panel and just about block access to the breakers and neutral bar. Turning the panel up side down makes it easer to install and allows for shorter wires to the main. the code I sighted is the one that allows for the panel to be up side down.

404.7 Where these switch or circuit breaker handles are operated vertically rather than rotationally or horizontally , the up position of the handle shall be the (on) position.
Click to expand...
This is also repeted in 240.81 and 240.33 allows the panel to be mounted horizontally when there is not enough room to mount it vertical with the requirment that the handles of the breakers still have to be in the up position when on this would only allow you to be able to use half of the panel. as per 240.81.

And since there is no requirment for horizontally mounted handles they are allowed in eather position.

[ November 11, 2004, 07:12 PM: Message edited by: hurk27 ]
 
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