Laundry Room Panelboard

[DLP1911]

There is a huge neighborhood in my area and all the panelboards are in the laundry room over the washer or dryer. They are all Wadsworth panels. If I do a swap out 100 to 100, no upgrade, do they need to be moved for proper clearance or are swap outs grandfathered in.

 

[WA_Sparky]

Id assume so. At that point its considered new construction and equipment would need to be brought up to code.

 

[hillbilly1]

There is a huge neighborhood in my area and all the panelboards are in the laundry room over the washer or dryer. They are all Wadsworth panels. If I do a swap out 100 to 100, no upgrade, do they need to be moved for proper clearance or are swap outs grandfathered in.

Depends on the inspector. My cousin wired his own house, and put the panel behind the dryer. The inspector said it was fine. Check with your local AHJ.

 

[ptonsparky]

Similar to the service Being in the clothes closet, now do I have to move it.
AHJ conversation time.

 

[Coppersmith]

I did a panel change last year where the old panel was behind the washer. I assumed it would not pass if I changed it in place. I flipped the new panel to the opposite side of the wall creating an exterior panel. Put a trough in above the existing panel to catch all the branch circuits. Piped the trough through the wall and into the new panel. Had to use multiple pipes to avoid derating.

 

[rc/retired]

Funny old world, isn't it? Nothing in any code states "Ye shall have a washer and dryer"
So, when an inspector inspects and there is nothing in front of the panel, he passes the inspection.
Then here come Joe Homeowner creating a violation.
What to do?
Ron

 

[LarryFine]

This is one of those situations where it depends. Here, replacing like-with-like is generally allowed to stay as was installed.

Interestingly, they consider an upgrade as "reducing the hazard" and often allow an upgrade to remain in place, too.

As others advised, ask the AHJ before planning and pricing for each job.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

In our area you are allowed to that if you go back in the same place. Check with the area authority having jurisdiction

 

[DLP1911]

Funny old world, isn't it? Nothing in any code states "Ye shall have a washer and dryer"
So, when an inspector inspects and there is nothing in front of the panel, he passes the inspection.
Then here come Joe Homeowner creating a violation.
What to do?
Ron

This might be the best thing I’ve ever heard. You are wise o wise one