Panel in attic what would you do ?

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acrwc10

acrwc10

Master Code Professional
Location
CA
Occupation
Building inspector
I am repairing a job where the original "electrician" seemed to have very little understanding of the code. The newest problem I found is a panel ( Home line 100 amp ) was installed in the attic where the highest point is less then 5 ft and slopes down from there. There is less then 28'' in front of the panel and the surface you stand on is ceiling joists 16'' on center. To get to the panel you need to go through a hatch in the master closet with a 10 ft ceiling. To boot the HO doesn't even own a ladder. I had to call another subcontractor that was on the job when it was built to find the panel.
So my question is would you relocate the panel ? to do so would be a real PITA. or would you leave it where it is at ? Mechanically it is safe but you can not service it or reset a tripped breaker without a ladder. The house is less then 3 years old.
 
Does this panel have the service disconnect? If so, does your area limit the length of service entrance conductors?
Its unsafe and must be corrected.
A letter to the home owner detailing the code violations and, the reason why violations, such as length of unfused service entrance conductors.
You may be able to get your AHJ to do an inspection and report, it would be easier to have the bad news come from someone else.
 
Obviously, the panel does not meet the requirements of 110.26 "spaces about equipment" and it is not readily accessible. I would believe that you should relocate it, however since the house is only 3 years old I would think the home owner has some sort of legal recourse through the builders warranty. Most states require builders to warranty the new home for some period of time. I'm in Nevada and the state requires new homes to be warrantied for 5 years on the mechanical & electrical work and 10 years on structure.

Good luck.

Kevin
Electric Inspector,former EC
 
tom baker said:
Does this panel have the service disconnect? If so, does your area limit the length of service entrance conductors?
Its unsafe and must be corrected.
A letter to the home owner detailing the code violations and, the reason why violations, such as length of unfused service entrance conductors.
You may be able to get your AHJ to do an inspection and report, it would be easier to have the bad news come from someone else.
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I was under the impression the panel in the attic was a sub-panel...
 
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acrwc10 said:
Panel in attic what would you do ?
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From a purely business standpoint, I'd try to sell the on moving the panel using the code and inconvenience as two main points. Other than that, I wouldn't feel especially compelled to do anything, since I didn't create the problem.
 
tom baker said:
Does this panel have the service disconnect? If so, does your area limit the length of service entrance conductors?
Its unsafe and must be corrected.
A letter to the home owner detailing the code violations and, the reason why violations, such as length of unfused service entrance conductors.
You may be able to get your AHJ to do an inspection and report, it would be easier to have the bad news come from someone else.
Click to expand...

It is not a servic entrance, and I don't think the HO's will go back on the builder, even though they are discusted with the original electrician.
 
put a disconnect outside @ the meter, and drop the panel into one of the M-Bedroom walls, put a nice size trough in the attic.
 
ItsHot said:
Where would you "relocate" it? On the patio!
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Wow, have you seen this house ? How did you know. I was thinking right in the middle of the formal dining room. :roll:
 
e57 said:
Turn it into a junction box and pipe it to a panel behind some art work....
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That would be one really long pipe if you wanted it behind some artwork at say... The Louvre.

Mona_Lisa.jpg
 
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