A home owner was required to get his electrical panels inspected prior to them doing a inspection. He has one 100A fuse box in a closet that you need to be a contortionist to get at. It can be turned around so the face is in the hall pretty easily. His other 200A panel is in the kitchen over his counter. The counter is pretty narrow so it is still easy to work in. The house was built in the late fifties, early sixties, he says it has always been like that. Would that have been code when it was installed and if so would that be something that would be "grandfathered" in? Moving the panel is not really a option, removing or relocating the counter top would not be ideal either.
Panel obstruction
- Thread starter Lektrk
- Start date
- Location
- Illinois
- Occupation
- retired electrician
Not sure when the work space rules went into the code, and I don't have any code books that old, but they have been in the code for a very long time.
Buck Parrish
Senior Member
- Location
- NC & IN
I happened to have a 47 code book right here in my formerly nicotine stained hands.
I'll check it out and get back to you.
I'll check it out and get back to you.
packersparky
Senior Member
- Location
- Wisconsin
- Occupation
- Inspector
The working space in front of panels in the 1951 NEC was 18 inches for 150 volts to ground or less.
Buck Parrish
Senior Member
- Location
- NC & IN
Buck Parrish
Senior Member
- Location
- NC & IN
Do you think the 200 amp panel is original?
The counter is probably pretty close to 18" but it's 240V.
- Location
- Chapel Hill, NC
- Occupation
- Retired Electrical Contractor
Yes, But is that floor-to-ceiling or just in front of the panel itself? That would allow the panel in the cabinets.
In your case 240v is less than 150 volts to ground
Unsure about Code but that was common here at least into the 60s.
As far as countertops,, our inspectors are pretty lenient depending on the difficulty of relocating.
Not so much so about closets. They normally can be relocated or spun without much difficulty.
Not original but he said it was there when he bought the house 35+/- years ago.
packersparky
Senior Member
- Location
- Wisconsin
- Occupation
- Inspector
It doesn't say.
You're right I was thinking leg to leg. Not in a cabinet.