Panel Behind Door
- Thread starter curt swartz
- Start date
- Status
- Location
- Lockport, IL
- Occupation
- Semi-Retired Electrical Engineer
One of the ?experts? on that other forum cited 110.26 as the basis for calling it a code violation. I do not wish to participate on any more forums, so I will simply post my opinion on this one.
Here is my take on the situation:
1. If something is really and truly ?physically impossible,? then I think it is safe to conclude that that thing is ?not likely? to happen.
2. If there is a panel behind a door, and if the door is open, such that the door is blocking the panel, then it is physically impossible, while the door continues to remain open, for any person to conduct maintenance, inspection, testing, or whatever you want to call it, on that panel.
3. Thus, I infer that, while the door remains open, it is not likely that that panel will require maintenance, inspection, testing, or whatever, while at the same time being energized.
4. I conclude that 110.26 does not apply.
5. QED.
Here is my take on the situation:
1. If something is really and truly ?physically impossible,? then I think it is safe to conclude that that thing is ?not likely? to happen.
2. If there is a panel behind a door, and if the door is open, such that the door is blocking the panel, then it is physically impossible, while the door continues to remain open, for any person to conduct maintenance, inspection, testing, or whatever you want to call it, on that panel.
3. Thus, I infer that, while the door remains open, it is not likely that that panel will require maintenance, inspection, testing, or whatever, while at the same time being energized.
4. I conclude that 110.26 does not apply.
5. QED.
macmikeman
Senior Member
- Location
- Planet macmikeman
Lets go get em.....
Johnmcca
Senior Member
- Location
- Mid-Hudson Valley, NY
Charlieb, my college logic professor would agree with you on this one.
ivsenroute
Senior Member
- Location
- Florida
Not a violation and code compliant in my opinion as an inspector. I don't like it but don't have anything to back me up for failing it.
What about a large walk in closet with plenty of room, let's say 120 square feet and a sub-panel on a wall where there is no clothing nearby (none within 30")?
What you say then?
What about a large walk in closet with plenty of room, let's say 120 square feet and a sub-panel on a wall where there is no clothing nearby (none within 30")?
What you say then?
Flex
Senior Member
- Location
- poestenkill ny
Its hard for some to seperate opinions from fact. If hes not an inspector then his interpretation will never come into play.
It is a cloths closet, so it is a violation, the code says nothing about how big the closet is. Now if you put the panel behind the door in the closet, well then you just might sneak it by.
LarryFine
Master Electrician Electric Contractor Richmond VA
- Location
- Henrico County, VA
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor
"That's Fronkensteen!"Lets go get em.....
Jim W in Tampa
Senior Member
- Location
- Tampa Florida
Would you prefer it behind a bed or dresser ? Simple yes or no. I can close a door and block it or lock it far easier than moving furniture.
So I made the mistake of clicking on the link and reading the other thread. Ignorant by definition would mean you never learned about something. Stupid would be what I read in that thread. But at least they have conviction:roll:
My favorite comment was, "it is in writing , "temporary obstruction" ". I must have missed that one in the code book. If one is to argue that a panel can't be behind a door, how would you address 2 panels mounted next to each other, where the door from one opens in front of the other ? I guess that would also be a violation.
My favorite comment was, "it is in writing , "temporary obstruction" ". I must have missed that one in the code book. If one is to argue that a panel can't be behind a door, how would you address 2 panels mounted next to each other, where the door from one opens in front of the other ?
I guess that would also be a violation.
- Location
- Illinois
- Occupation
- retired electrician
I don't agree that a panel in a clothes closet is an automatic violation. The rule is that you can't have a panel in the vicinity of easily ignitable material...the clothes closet is just an example of an location that may be in the vicinity of easily ignitable material. I know that most people do not read this section this way and I know that if I put the panel in the closet I will get a red tag, but I don't think the code rule really says what most say it does.It is a cloths closet, so it is a violation, the code says nothing about how big the closet is. Now if you put the panel behind the door in the closet, well then you just might sneak it by.
- Location
- Lockport, IL
- Occupation
- Semi-Retired Electrical Engineer
Well, actually, no. I do participate in a couple photography-related forums.I seriously hope this is not what you really mean, charlie.
mivey
Senior Member
and I hope you meant:Well, actually, no. I do participate in a couple photography-related forums.
I do participate in a couple of photography-related forums :grin:
iMuse97
Senior Member
- Location
- Chicagoland
What I would say, is that when the residents move in, they will put a portable clothes rack right in front of it. Have seen this situation many times in apartment/condo units.
mivey
Senior Member
People usually do put stuff in front of a panel since it is a good open spot. No pictures from my garage will be posted.
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