Panel installation

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Shockedby277v

Shockedby277v

Senior Member
Location
Michigan
I'm looking to install a panel inside a utility room, but I'm coming up dry on a code section whether if I can or not. Do I need to be X amount of feet away from the washer/water source?? Another problem I'm facing is the panel would be located next to a door which would swing in front of the panel. Would this interfere with my clearances???

This is a residential application.

Thanks in advance.
 
I know when I have placed a panel behind a door, AHJ has required the door to be lockable. (senseable, I think). Besides the standard working clearances, I dont know of any other restrictions.
 
permit expediter - ;planner

permit expediter - ;planner

I am working on a project now which has zero to do with me except that my client has an open panel hanging off the side of her modular house with wires running everywhere! I almost just stuffed them in and shut the panel, but remembered my GC on a commercial job I"m working on electrical stuff told me to get my fingers the hell out of there. Please help me with my load calcs.

thanks,
Shay
 
shaycali said:
I am working on a project now which has zero to do with me except that my client has an open panel hanging off the side of her modular house with wires running everywhere! I almost just stuffed them in and shut the panel, but remembered my GC on a commercial job I"m working on electrical stuff told me to get my fingers the hell out of there. Please help me with my load calcs.

thanks,
Shay[/quote You need to start a new thread for this question Welcome to the forum!
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JohnJ0906 said:
I know when I have placed a panel behind a door, AHJ has required the door to be lockable. (senseable, I think). Besides the standard working clearances, I dont know of any other restrictions.
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What code number did he use for the lock ? 110.26 should clear up work space.The washer cant be in the work space.
 
Panel Installation

Panel Installation

In addition to working space, consider dedicated space
 
Its called common sense Jim. If I'm working on a panel, I dont want someone opening a door into me.
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Then put a door stopper under the door when you are working on the panel.

Unless there is a local requirement, the AHJ can't require the door to be lockable, as this is not an NEC requirement.

Chris
 
raider1 said:
Then put a door stopper under the door when you are working on the panel.

Unless there is a local requirement, the AHJ can't require the door to be lockable, as this is not an NEC requirement.

Chris
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I agree. And a panel near a water source isn't a problem either.
 
infinity said:
And a panel near a water source isn't a problem either.
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I agree, I hear alot of people that say you must keep a panel away from a washing machine because "It is a water source".

Chris
 
The washer would be more than 3' away. My clearance above and below will be met. I really dont wanna install it behind a door but it's a small house and space is limited.

I think what I'm gonna do is change out the service, have that inspected then ask the AHJ what he thinks about that spot. I hate redoing work.
 
raider1 said:
Unless there is a local requirement, the AHJ can't require the door to be lockable, as this is not an NEC requirement.

Chris
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I have run across many area disputes of this type, and unless the AHJ is asking for something that is totaly unreasonable, his jurisdiction area will back him up even if it isn't a specific law.

___________________
Wes Gerrans
Electrical Technology Instructor
Northwest Kansas Technical College
Goodland, KS
 
I have run across many area disputes of this type, and unless the AHJ is asking for something that is totaly unreasonable, his jurisdiction area will back him up even if it isn't a specific law.
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How do you enforce somthing that isn't a code requirement? An inspector or AHJ can't just make stuff up and say "well I think that it should be that way".

Even if it is a simple thing, if it isn't a written and adopted code then a AHJ can't require it, this becomes an abuse of power.

Chris
 
raider1 said:
Then put a door stopper under the door when you are working on the panel.

Unless there is a local requirement, the AHJ can't require the door to be lockable, as this is not an NEC requirement.

Chris
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When the inspector asked for it, I thought it was a reasonable request, especially since I would be the one working on it. The GC was standing there and said "NO problem". A few extra bucks for one doorknob on a 1.5 million dollar house just aint worth fighting over. It just seemed to make so much sense from a safety viewpoint, that it never occured to me to question it. (I wouldnt have put it there if I had a coice, but it was the best of several poor choices)
 
JohnJ0906 said:
Its called common sense Jim. If I'm working on a panel, I dont want someone opening a door into me.
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Any chance of hanging the door so it swings the other way?!?

I'd hate to think that someone is going to have to lock themselves in a utility room to service the panel. G-d forbid anything should happen, but if it does, then what? The guy dies because the door was locked from the inside?!?
 
This was a few years back, so I dont exactly remember every detail. I do remember if we changed the door swing, it would have hit a cabinent, and we did have a rather picky homeowner. Personaly, I wouldnt need to lock myself in, I let my helper make sure the door won't hit me. Gives him something to do besides space out. :D
 
Panel installation

JohnJ0906 said:
I know when I have placed a panel behind a door, AHJ has required the door to be lockable. (senseable, I think). Besides the standard working clearances, I dont know of any other restrictions.
Click to expand...

Locking yourself in a utility room while working on a panel sensable??? Not IMO
 
Panel installation

Shockedby277v said:
The washer would be more than 3' away. My clearance above and below will be met. I really dont wanna install it behind a door but it's a small house and space is limited.

I think what I'm gonna do is change out the service, have that inspected then ask the AHJ what he thinks about that spot. I hate redoing work.
Click to expand...

If you don't want to install it behind a door then you know that it is not a ideal (safe) installation, so don't do it.
 
Panel Installation

Panel Installation

110.26(B)(3) Clear Working Space The working space requiered by this section must be clear at all times. I took this from Mike Holts book Understanding The NEC. it goes on to prohibit using this space for storage.
 
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