Mounting a panel board to a drywall wall.

[TDP]

What is the industry standard for mounting a panel board to a drywall wall?

Is just using butterfly anchors acceptable? Doesn’t seem to make sense or be a good ideal.

Thanks!

 

[LarryFine]

You should be able to land at least two fasteners in at least one stud.

Or attach a board or two horizontal strips to at least two studs.

 

[curt swartz]

Drywall is not really supposed to support other loads. Install plywood or strut that spans the studs.

 

[Little Bill]

These are the best I've seen/used for drywall. Rated to hold 265lbs in 1/2" drywall.

 

[LarryFine]

These are the best I've seen/used for drywall. Rated to hold 265lbs in 1/2" drywall.

View attachment 2565847

They are great anchors. I've used them to mount TVs on steel-studded walls using a small hole saw.

 

[tom baker]

Yes and if you remove the machine screw the toggle stays in place, and the combo head can be driven by a drill easily

 

[jmellc]

I recall a couple of guys setting up a panel room. They got some 4 inch sheet metal ribbon from HVAC people and screwed it to the studs during rough in. After drywalling, they drilled and used toggle bolts. Not a chance any of them ever worked loose from the sheet metal.

 

[electrofelon]

For small panelboards such as load center type panelboards, I will get some screws into the stud (assuming 16"OC so there is one there), and use some large toggle bolts in the corners. For commercial panel boards I will either install a plywood backboard, or cut some drywall out and install some 2x blocking between the studs.

 

[winnie]

Is the panelboard going to be on the wall with nothing connected to it, or are you also planning on running wires to the thing?

IMHO a big part of the answer depends on what wiring method you intend to use and how that method needs to be supported.

Eg. Conduit coming in top or bottom? Use several pieces of strut between the studs to support the panel and clamp the conduit.

Lots of NM running from the panel? Mount a plywood backboard to the studs, then use the plywood to mount the panel and staple the NM.

I'm sure there are other possibilities.

 

[Rick 0920]

I agree with Curt (post #3) Although 1/4" toggle bolts are good fasteners, I wouldn't want a panel to be supported solely from Sheetrock. It's quick and easy to use a plywood backer fastened to the studs or Unistrut or Kindorff with springnuts.

 

[ActionDave]

If it's 5/8 sheetrock I've hung them right to the drywall with quarter inch toggles before. Piece of strut above and below to support the conduits coming in gets anchored to the studs makes sure that nothing is going anywhere when the install is complete.

 

[Sberry]

Not advocating mounting that way but have seen some really secure despite reservations. On several things we want to secure we add a gob or 2 of liq nails or silicone behind it.