Panel in Bathroom

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brother

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I always thought that panels couldnt be in bathrooms in all locations. I reread the article but apparently i was wrong, I was at a store/commercial place that sold candy, sodas, smoothies etc.. and the panel was in the bathroom.

Article 240.24 (E) only mentions dwelling units and guest rooms or guest suites of hotels, motels.

I know the there is no shower in this particular place so no issue of the 'wetness of steam' however i have seen it in other places.

Is there any reason why other places are allowed to have them in bathrooms??
 
Brother.,

I did ran into the same thing here some of the commercal location I did see panelboard in the bathroom and they been allowed for pretty long time.

One of the reason why they installed in commercal bathroom some place have small building and they used the bathroom due majorty of the time almost nothing will be stored in the bathroom.

That how I am thinking about that one but try that in European area they will nail your butt very fast they don't allowed in any bathroom at all.

However now with newer building the issue is about nonexsting due they keep the electrical panel away from bathroom but from time to time they will pile something front of the panel.

Alot of older gas station or auto repair shop they been doing like that for long time as well.

Merci,Marc
 
brother said:
Is there any reason why other places are allowed to have them in bathrooms??
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Not that this is an official answer, but one of our moderators is on a CMP-10 which handles Article 240 and if I recall correctly his personal opinion was that it did in fact have to do with the shower. He is currently vacationing so don't expect him to jump in here. :cool:


Also do not overlook 230.70(A)(2) which prohibits a service disconnecting means to be located in any bathroom.
 
Pierre C Belarge said:
Panels were permitted in bathrooms of dwelling units until the change in the '93 code cycle. We see many locations in existing homes where the panel is in the bathroom.
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Are you sure about that? I remember no panels in the bathroom way back in 1980. I am getting old so I could be wrong.
 
I can not find it in the 1990.

In the 1990 we had 240-24

(a) Readily accessible

(b) Occupant to have access

(c) Not exposed to physical damage

(d) Not in the vicinity of burny stuff :wink:

Thats it.

I do not have the 1993 so I can not check that. Those were the years I boycotted the NEC. :grin:
 
You may have had a local code. The change made in the NEC was during the '93 code cycle. 240.24(e) '93 - 240.24(E) '08 (there was a slight change in the '05)

240.24 has changed just a little since '93.


I was going through my '93 NEC...boy did I use it differently then...it is in better shape then my '05 is. :)
 
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iwire said:
Not that this is an official answer, but one of our moderators is on a CMP-10 which handles Article 240 and if I recall correctly his personal opinion was that it did in fact have to do with the shower.
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Correct me if I am wrong but it does not have to do with moisture but rather with people being barefooted around the panel--Yes???
 
Dennis Alwon said:
Correct me if I am wrong but it does not have to do with moisture but rather with people being barefooted around the panel--Yes???
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If I recall correctly it was the moisture in the air that was the issue.

The NEC allows switches, receptacles, washer and dryers, electric baseboard heat, etc in bathrooms.

I don't see that a properly installed panel provides more hazard to barefoot folks then any other bonded / grounded equipment.

When Charlie E comes back he may be able to shed more light on this. :smile:
 
iwire said:
If I recall correctly it was the moisture in the air that was the issue.

The NEC allows switches, receptacles, washer and dryers, electric baseboard heat, etc in bathrooms.

I don't see that a properly installed panel provides more hazard to barefoot folks then any other bonded / grounded equipment.

When Charlie E comes back he may be able to shed more light on this. :smile:
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So a weatherproof panel should be okay....:grin:
 
iwire said:
. . . one of our moderators is on a CMP-10 which handles Article 240 and if I recall correctly his personal opinion was that it did in fact have to do with the shower.

Also do not overlook 230.70(A)(2) which prohibits a service disconnecting means to be located in any bathroom.
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That is correct. A small bathroom normally has a problem with moisture that hangs in the air. Commercial and industrial bathrooms are generally larger and better ventilated to get rid of any humidity. The panel had quite a discussion about small shower areas in spas and fitness centers. However, we concluded that they would have the needed ventilation. :smile:
 
Dennis Alwon said:
So a weatherproof panel should be okay....:grin:
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Nope, they are not sealed. Also, there is no provision for permitting an alternate method. However, 90.4 may be pursued. :)
By special permission, the authority having jurisdiction may waive specific requirements in this Code or permit alternative methods where it is assured that equivalent objectives can be achieved by establishing and maintaining effective safety.
​
 
charlie said:
Nope, they are not sealed. Also, there is no provision for permitting an alternate method. However, 90.4 may be pursued. :)
By special permission, the authority having jurisdiction may waive specific requirements in this Code or permit alternative methods where it is assured that equivalent objectives can be achieved by establishing and maintaining effective safety.
​
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Charlie I realize that a wp panel can't be used in a bathroom but why would it have to be sealed. Heck light fixtures, switches, etc aren't sealed.

Don't get me wrong I think a bathroom is not a good place for a panel but If a wp panel is allowed outdoors and moisture is the problem then why wouldn't a wp panel be allowed in the bathroom.

It would be ugly etc. but I am trying to understand the logic.
 
Dennis, I don't care if a light switch corrodes a little or if a bit of moisture gets into a light. However, I do care if an overcurrent device doesn't operate. Considering the open nature of a molded case circuit breaker, I don't want any moisture in there.

As far as the outside overcurrent devices in NEMA 3R enclosures, they are listed for the purpose. With that said and from a personal standpoint, I don't like outside installations of overcurrent devices. There are situations that require installations in NEMA 3R enclosures and the panel is OK with that. I can't speak for the rest of the panel but that is the way I feel about the situation. :)
 
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