yello_zebra
New member
- Location
- Burlington, WA USA
've built a new bathroom in my garage and learned that the main electrical panel can NOT be located in a bathroom. I have spoken with the local L&I inspector and have pulled an electrical permit as the homeowner to move the panel to the exterior side of the wall that it is currently located on, in basically the exact same position.
I talked with the power company and they indicated a $37 charge for a "meter pull" so that I can do the change.
I'm looking for advice from experts and those that have done this before as to the basic steps and order of events that need to happen so that I can do this correctly, and to code. The inspector I spoke with said I do not have to pull 3 conductor wire to all the existing circuits as long as the 2 conductor wire is in good shape. Because I'm essentially locating it in the same place, but just outside the wall, all my existing wiring *should* reach.
Questions:
1.) Can I use my existing 225A load center panel and just build a waterproof cabinet around it? Or will I have to buy a waterproof panel designed to be outside?
2.) What is the order of events in a typical panel move? I can label every circuit and breaker ahead of time, but how long will the power company wait there with the meter pulled while I quickly try to relocate the panel? Sorry, maybe a dumb question but I'm trying to picture how this usually works...
3.) What are the acceptible ways to route all the romex and other various cables (range connection is a larger wire, and I have a sub-panel that goes to my shop for a 220v tablesaw). Most of the cables now come through holes drilled in the header above the panel, then are tacked to the studs before coming into the side of the panel. How many circuits / cables can I route through a hole in the wall? Are there premade cable channels just for this purpose?
4.) Will I have to re-do my ground? Is that a big job?
Thanks in advance for any and all advice. I'll upload a better pic with the outer panel removed later this evening.View attachment photo(31).jpg
I talked with the power company and they indicated a $37 charge for a "meter pull" so that I can do the change.
I'm looking for advice from experts and those that have done this before as to the basic steps and order of events that need to happen so that I can do this correctly, and to code. The inspector I spoke with said I do not have to pull 3 conductor wire to all the existing circuits as long as the 2 conductor wire is in good shape. Because I'm essentially locating it in the same place, but just outside the wall, all my existing wiring *should* reach.
Questions:
1.) Can I use my existing 225A load center panel and just build a waterproof cabinet around it? Or will I have to buy a waterproof panel designed to be outside?
2.) What is the order of events in a typical panel move? I can label every circuit and breaker ahead of time, but how long will the power company wait there with the meter pulled while I quickly try to relocate the panel? Sorry, maybe a dumb question but I'm trying to picture how this usually works...
3.) What are the acceptible ways to route all the romex and other various cables (range connection is a larger wire, and I have a sub-panel that goes to my shop for a 220v tablesaw). Most of the cables now come through holes drilled in the header above the panel, then are tacked to the studs before coming into the side of the panel. How many circuits / cables can I route through a hole in the wall? Are there premade cable channels just for this purpose?
4.) Will I have to re-do my ground? Is that a big job?
Thanks in advance for any and all advice. I'll upload a better pic with the outer panel removed later this evening.View attachment photo(31).jpg
