Is this panel in violation?

Status
Not open for further replies.
D

Dwyer

Member
Location
Upstate NY
Occupation
Electrician
I recently came across this weatherproof exterior breaker panel located On the side of a low deck, literally on top of the ground. I assume they put in a few inches of stone around the base of it which I had to move out of the way to get access to the breakers. I can’t find the article that states how high off the ground a exterior panel should be.
 
Trailers are the only places that the nec requires a distance from the ground (2') otherwise there isn't a minimum

BTW no pic until you reach so many posts
 
89c50ae7b61bdd95a5b3a5ac88ae2b52.jpg



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Only an issue if you bifocals. Comment I typically hear is dont need to work on very often, but when you do its:(
 
Dwyer said:
I recently came across this weatherproof exterior breaker panel located On the side of a low deck, literally on top of the ground. I assume they put in a few inches of stone around the base of it which I had to move out of the way to get access to the breakers. I can’t find the article that states how high off the ground a exterior panel should be.
Click to expand...
I would suggest that the box as pictured is questionable as to meeting 312.2 "surface-type enclosures within the scope of this article shall be placed or equipped so as to prevent moisture or water from entering and accumulating within the cabinet or ...." enclosure is not a watertight and visible waterline on enclosure suggests potential water intrusion. Code vague on height allowing for discretion. What did you find when you opened pandora's box?
 
I was relatively surprised to find no rust inside the panel box and all breakers are in good condition. But I told the homeowner I didn’t feel comfortable laying down working on it. I feel it should be moved even though I couldn’t site the exact code violation


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Well if you're upstate NY that box is subjected to water intrusion simply from snow, ice melt and runoff. I think 312.2 would give you a reference to cause move or change to watertight sealed enclosure. Another solution would be to dig large pit with appropriate drainage that you could stand in to work on it and get the box out of the "line of fire" for water getting in. (Just an idea)
 
Fred B said:
I would suggest that the box as pictured is questionable as to meeting 312.2 "surface-type enclosures within the scope of this article shall be placed or equipped so as to prevent moisture or water from entering and accumulating within the cabinet or ...." enclosure is not a watertight and visible waterline on enclosure suggests potential water intrusion. Code vague on height allowing for discretion. What did you find when you opened pandora's box?
Click to expand...
OP mentioned he had to pull the rocks away from the box to gain access. I'm thinking what you see as a waterline is just where the rocks have been up against the box, and either the box has weathered differently where covered or the rocks may be wicking up just enough ground moisture to put a line on the box.
 
I'd be more interested in what's coming out of that panel or what all it's feeding.

JAP>
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top