panel box height

[difowler44]

I have never seen a minimum height requirement for a residential indoor panel box. Since I couldn't find it, I called a Fort Worth Inspector, and he told me that there is no minimum height for an indoor panel box. I was planning a 600amp service with 3ea 200amp main breaker panel boxes. I had a small space to put the 3ea panel boxes, so I wanted to put one below the other two. The original customer ended up filing bancruptcy and was not able to buy the house, so we just put the standard 320amp service and it became a spec home. I might run in to this again.

I know that there are different configerations that I could have used. I have found that they would all be more expensive than just installing a meter and 3ea panel boxes. Cost is a factor.

 

[quinn77]

a 600 amp service on a residence? what was the calculated load for a monster like that...never seen a calculated load on a residence which required a service of that size.

 

[jetlag]

I have never seen a minimum height requirement for a residential indoor panel box. Since I couldn't find it, I called a Fort Worth Inspector, and he told me that there is no minimum height for an indoor panel box. I was planning a 600amp service with 3ea 200amp main breaker panel boxes. I had a small space to put the 3ea panel boxes, so I wanted to put one below the other two. The original customer ended up filing bancruptcy and was not able to buy the house, so we just put the standard 320amp service and it became a spec home. I might run in to this again.

I know that there are different configerations that I could have used. I have found that they would all be more expensive than just installing a meter and 3ea panel boxes. Cost is a factor.

I have never understood why there is no minimum height for indoor panels but there is not . If there is only the required 30" wide and 36" deep working space can you imagine trying to work on a panel on the floor . If in a utility room , plumbing leaks could get in the panel . The only thing ever found in the code is min 24" above grade for a mobile home outside disconect. So I usually do the same on a dwelling , although have never found it in the code .

 

[iwire]

I have never understood why there is no minimum height for indoor panels but there is not .

A minimum height for overcurrent devices would be a problem.

I have had to install panel with the enclosure close to touching the floor in order to keep the top breakers below 6'- 7".


It is also fairly common for MCCs to have breakers or fuse almost on the floor in order to fit more in the stack.

 

[jetlag]

A minimum height for overcurrent devices would be a problem.

I have had to install panel with the enclosure close to touching the floor in order to keep the top breakers below 6'- 7".


It is also fairly common for MCCs to have breakers or fuse almost on the floor in order to fit more in the stack.

Thats true but I still believe there should be an exception that says " unless the height of the panel is such that the min off the floor would put the highest breaker above 6' 7 '' ." That way at least almost all residental boxes would be covered unless there are stacked . Im only talking about a 12 " or 18" min.