I have a homeowner who wants to install his residential loadcenter in the back wall of a 12inch deep broom closet. I quoted him the requirements of 110.26, which I assume also applys in residential. I told him 3 feet in front, which is theoretically possible with the door open. Width of panel or 30", whichever is greater, which would mean a 30" door. Nothing stored in the dedicated space from floor to ceiling, which everyone knows this will get violated! I told him I did not recommend it, but is there anything in the code that prohibits this placement? There will be no clothing stored in it. Thanks in advance.
panel in closet
- Thread starter apj
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jeff43222
Senior Member
- Location
- Minneapolis, Minnesota
Re: panel in closet
Seems to me that the only way it would be legal is if the door is permanently removed. A door would violate the depth requirement if it's closed.
Also, if it's new construction, it has to have at least 78" of headroom.
[ January 20, 2006, 10:26 PM: Message edited by: jeff43222 ]
Seems to me that the only way it would be legal is if the door is permanently removed. A door would violate the depth requirement if it's closed.
Also, if it's new construction, it has to have at least 78" of headroom.
[ January 20, 2006, 10:26 PM: Message edited by: jeff43222 ]
jimwalker
Senior Member
- Location
- TAMPA FLORIDA
Re: panel in closet
The door will need to be 30 inches when opened,this will likely need be a 32 inch door because of the trim.Most doors are 6' 8" so your fine on height.As long as nothing stored in it its legal.Yes we all know it will get violated but that's not your problem or the inspectors.We have even done this on some commercial installs.
The door will need to be 30 inches when opened,this will likely need be a 32 inch door because of the trim.Most doors are 6' 8" so your fine on height.As long as nothing stored in it its legal.Yes we all know it will get violated but that's not your problem or the inspectors.We have even done this on some commercial installs.
LarryFine
Master Electrician Electric Contractor Richmond VA
- Location
- Henrico County, VA
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor
Re: panel in closet
Since nobody could be expected to work on the panel with the door closed, I don't think the 12" would be an issue. In fact, make the closet even shallower, like 3", and storage use would be almost eliminated.
Since nobody could be expected to work on the panel with the door closed, I don't think the 12" would be an issue. In fact, make the closet even shallower, like 3", and storage use would be almost eliminated.
growler
Senior Member
- Location
- Atlanta,GA
Re: panel in closet
I don't like the idea of a panel in the closet . I got a call yesterday from a lady that had a home inspection done and the panel was listed as a fault. I told her as far a code goes that the panel would not have to be moved but the shelf would have to come out and no clothes hanging in the closet for the inspection. She wants to leave the shelf blocking the panel and the clothes in the closet. She is just mad because the home inspector listed it as a safety violation, when it wasn't a violation when she bought the house ( wants here cake and eat it to ). Even when it's legal it's still a future problem. They are going to put a shelf in the closet. I have never put a panel in a closet because I hate looking for them and then having to empty out all the junk stored in there just to flip a breaker.
I don't like the idea of a panel in the closet . I got a call yesterday from a lady that had a home inspection done and the panel was listed as a fault. I told her as far a code goes that the panel would not have to be moved but the shelf would have to come out and no clothes hanging in the closet for the inspection. She wants to leave the shelf blocking the panel and the clothes in the closet. She is just mad because the home inspector listed it as a safety violation, when it wasn't a violation when she bought the house ( wants here cake and eat it to ). Even when it's legal it's still a future problem. They are going to put a shelf in the closet. I have never put a panel in a closet because I hate looking for them and then having to empty out all the junk stored in there just to flip a breaker.
electricmanscott
Senior Member
- Location
- Boston, MA
- Occupation
- Massachusetts Master Electrician, one man show.
Re: panel in closet
Sounds like comletely reasonable installation to me.
Sounds like comletely reasonable installation to me.
- Location
- Massachusetts
Re: panel in closet
The door does not have to be permanently removed.
I have done many commercial installation like this.
The 'closet' may only be 12" deep and we mount our 6" deep panels on the surface. If it is a few panels double doors are installed.
Some places like the look of finished doors in place of flush mounted panels.
I agree with Mr Electricman.
The door does not have to be permanently removed.
I have done many commercial installation like this.
The 'closet' may only be 12" deep and we mount our 6" deep panels on the surface. If it is a few panels double doors are installed.
Some places like the look of finished doors in place of flush mounted panels.
jimwalker
Senior Member
- Location
- TAMPA FLORIDA
Re: panel in closet
"She wants to leave the shelf blocking the panel and the clothes in the closet. She is just mad because the home inspector listed it as a safety violation, when it wasn't a violation when she bought the house ( wants here cake and eat it to ). "
That's an easy one to solve.Tell her she can simply say no and then the buyer can either refuse to buy the house or accept the code violation.Buyer if not paying cash may not be able to get insurance or mortgage.Perhaps she does not really want to sell it.What did she want you to do ?
"She wants to leave the shelf blocking the panel and the clothes in the closet. She is just mad because the home inspector listed it as a safety violation, when it wasn't a violation when she bought the house ( wants here cake and eat it to ). "
That's an easy one to solve.Tell her she can simply say no and then the buyer can either refuse to buy the house or accept the code violation.Buyer if not paying cash may not be able to get insurance or mortgage.Perhaps she does not really want to sell it.What did she want you to do ?
growler
Senior Member
- Location
- Atlanta,GA
Re: panel in closet
Jim, she wanted me to tell her it's OK as is. I can't do that. I told her to remove the shelf and clothes to provide the necessary space. I think I may get to move the panel because she say's that it's necessary to have this closet as a coat closet in order to sell the house. She wants the inspection company to admit that they made a mistake and pay for the panel to be moved. They didn't , the closet was empty when first inspected with no shelf. People don't want to be reasonable. Just like this panel installation, it will be legal and pass inspection a year later after they have blocked the work area it will not be legal. It's dangerous to store combustible materials such as clothing against a panel.
Jim, she wanted me to tell her it's OK as is. I can't do that. I told her to remove the shelf and clothes to provide the necessary space. I think I may get to move the panel because she say's that it's necessary to have this closet as a coat closet in order to sell the house. She wants the inspection company to admit that they made a mistake and pay for the panel to be moved. They didn't , the closet was empty when first inspected with no shelf. People don't want to be reasonable. Just like this panel installation, it will be legal and pass inspection a year later after they have blocked the work area it will not be legal. It's dangerous to store combustible materials such as clothing against a panel.
- Location
- New Jersey
- Occupation
- Journeyman Electrician (retired)
Re: panel in closet
Do you really think so? I don't. The panel has a cover and all of the parts are enclosed. I don't see why this would present an inherent danger in a closet. IMO a couch or a bed jammed against a receptacle with a plug in seems more likely to cause a problem than an enclosed panel.
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