Panel Covers

Status
Not open for further replies.
kda3310

kda3310

Senior Member
Location
Dry Prong, Louisiana
I am working in Iraq and we are having a problem with panel covers. We are using Din Rail mounted breakers and Din Rail panel boxes. It is easier for the company to bye forerun parts then it is to ship from America. It is taking on average of six to eight months to get parts in here. Seeing we are on a U. S. Base it is mandatory that we hold to the NEC. The problem I am having is that we have to maintain the Containerized Housing Units (CHU) the military are live in. Each CHU has a GFCI breaker in it that the soldiers keep tripping with there equipment. When they trip the GFCI they take it upon there self?s to reset the breaker. When they do it is hard to tell how to open the door so many of the soldier?s just rip the door off. I have hundreds of CHUs with that little plastic cover missing. The Fire Department is telling me that this is a violation of the NFP 70 (NEC). They can not tell me what part of the code I am in violation of. The panel has a dead front that completely covers all the electrical components leaving no opining to exposed wiring or lugs. There is no possible way for anyone to get shocked. Only the door is missing over the switches of the breakers. Is there a code refrains for covering the switches on the breakers indoors? This problem happens so often that we have not been replacing the covers do to the lack of manpower.
 
If I understand you correctly then this is not a problem. The panel door is not a necessary part of the NEC. Some panels do not even have doors. As long as all the holes are filled you are okay.
 
I agree with Dennis the cover is not an issue. Here is a panel with no hinged cover:

31ZCJJRF8AL._AA280_.jpg
 
kda3310 said:
The Fire Department is telling me that this is a violation of the NFP 70 (NEC). They can not tell me what part of the code I am in violation of. The panel has a dead front that completely covers all the electrical components leaving no opining to exposed wiring or lugs.
Click to expand...
In your case, I'd evaluate the consequences of ignoring the Fire Department until such time as they can provide you with a code reference. No violation exists, in my opinion.
 
Panel covers

Panel covers

First of all "THANKS" for your service in Iraq.
I agree with the other answers about the door.
One would think the fire department would have enough to do without being so petty about the panel door.
Second of all What are they going to do send you to Iraq?
Be safe and thanks again for your service for out country.
I was in Nam but it was allot different I suppose.
Semper Fi. Buddy
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top