panel in crawl space

[newt]

Are there any code violations regarding panels located in crawl spaces,Local ins. wants a sub panel moved out of the crawl space not sure if it is really a code violation.

 

[tom baker]

Re: panel in crawl space

Panels are required to be readily accessible, you must be able to get to it quickly to deenergize, see defintion of Accessible, readily.
If you have a crawl space with 6 ft 6 in of headroom then its not a violation. See 110.16.

 

[newt]

Re: panel in crawl space

Thanks for reply.

 

[mjf]

Re: panel in crawl space

what if this "sub-panel" can quickly and easily be deenergized by turning a breaker off in the main service panel?

does this make a difference?

 

[jes25]

Re: panel in crawl space

makes no difference if its not readily accesisble and can meet the clearance requirements ( 3' in front and 6'6" hieght, If I am remebering correctly)

 

[mjf]

Re: panel in crawl space

thanks for the reply

 

[steve66]

Re: panel in crawl space

Posted by Tom Baker: Panels are required to be readily accessible

I can't find that in the NEC. I know the working space and dedicated equipment space applies, but I never knew a panel has to be "readily accessible". I looked under both 408 and 240 and still didn't find that.

Steve

 

[don_resqcapt19]

Re: panel in crawl space

Steve,
What about 240.24(A)?
Don

 

[jeff43222]

Re: panel in crawl space

I don't have my code book in front of me, but I'm pretty sure I once saw an exception that said the 6'6" overhead clearance requirement doesn't apply in residential panels that don't exceed 200A. I'm not sure if it covered only main panels or if subpanels were included in that.

 

[apauling]

Re: panel in crawl space

the term, "EXISTING residential" is part of the wording for that exemption. If it applies to installing new equipment, not replacing old equipment, the term "existing" has no meaning. The electrician could walk up to a new unwired building and say it was "existing" when i got here. The term existing generally means existing electrical installation prior to the code that is being exempted.

paul

 

[steve66]

Re: panel in crawl space

Thanks Don, I see it now. Learned something new too.

Steve

 

[jes25]

Re: panel in crawl space

Paul or Jeff, could you post the section about less clearance for existing resedential building under 200 amps. Sure hope this is true it would save a lot of work on a service change, but I cant find it

 

[al hildenbrand]

Re: panel in crawl space

2002 NEC 110.26 Spaces About Electrical Equipment.

E) Headroom. The minimum headroom of working spaces about service equipment, switchboards, panelboards, or motor control centers shall be 2.0 m (6? ft). Where the electrical equipment exceeds 2.0 m (6? ft) in height, the minimum headroom shall not be less than the height of the equipment.

Exception: In existing dwelling units, service equipment or panelboards that do not exceed 200 amperes shall be permitted in spaces where the headroom is less than 2.0 m (61/2 ft).