panelboard next to sink

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cvirgil467

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Is there a chapter and verse in the 2002 NEC or any other edition that states a panelboard cannot be installed next to a sink. Not ideal but i don't believe it's a violation.

Thanks.
C
 
As long as is is not in a bathroom per 240.24 (E) in the 2005 NEC I'd say you are OK. I've seen many panelboards in basements in close proximity to a laundry tub.
 
infinity said:
This comes up quite often and I'm wondering why? Does anyone see this as a hazard?
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I see it as a "potential" hazard.

In my own home, I set a panel within 12" of the water supply with the water meter, filters, an assortment of valves etc - I have the required 30" spacing including the other side - but I am NOT happy with this. I'll build a little wall to "seperate" the water from electricity. In no way is the present arrangement a violation, but IMHO it is a "potential" hazard. Maybe not for me - but possibley for some future owner of this shack.

I can see the arguement for placing GFI's by areas prone to water - outside, bath, kitchen, etc. (210.8(A) et al) I would think you would want to expand this "protection" to other areas - or completely eliminate the "potential" hazard ~ by a seperating barrier or some other verbage and place it within 110.26. et al. It may be overkill in commercial/industrial settings with the "undersupervision" languages ...but the language of 210.8(B) requires MORE GFI protection than 210.8(A) et al.

By adding more language and restricions to 110.26, are we now bordering on becoming a design manual - similar in nature to the many opinions of 422.16(B)(4)?
 
celtic said:
I see it as a "potential" hazard.

In my own home, I set a panel within 12" of the water supply with the water meter, filters, an assortment of valves etc - I have the required 30" spacing including the other side - but I am NOT happy with this. I'll build a little wall to "seperate" the water from electricity. In no way is the present arrangement a violation, but IMHO it is a "potential" hazard. Maybe not for me - but possibley for some future owner of this shack.
Click to expand...

Electricity in its own right is a potential hazard.
In my basement the water main is a couple feet away as is the gas main. is this any more of a problem than if they were 40 feet away? I doubt it.
 
electricmanscott said:
Electricity in its own right is a potential hazard.
In my basement the water main is a couple feet away as is the gas main. is this any more of a problem than if they were 40 feet away? I doubt it.
Click to expand...
My wingspan isn't 40' :D

I have some recollection of a clearance requirement between gas and electric...maybe a gas code? I do not have any reference other than the voices in my head.
 
celtic said:
I see it as a "potential" hazard.

In my own home, I set a panel within 12" of the water supply with the water meter, filters, an assortment of valves etc - I have the required 30" spacing including the other side - but I am NOT happy with this. I'll build a little wall to "seperate" the water from electricity. In no way is the present arrangement a violation, but IMHO it is a "potential" hazard. Maybe not for me - but possibley for some future owner of this shack.
Click to expand...

I've been concerned in the past about similar scenarios, but I've come to believe it is a false concern. Or at least, that the presence of the water piping doesn't make the potential hazard any worse than if it wasn't there.

I presume the potential hazard you see is that someone may come in contact with an energized part in the panel and the water piping at the same time? But remember, the current at the energized part is not trying to get to earth, or to water, but to its source. Metal piping, water, the earth, etc. are only a hazard if they are a part of the path back to the source. I can't see how the metal piping could be any more of a potential hazard than the metal case of the panel itself, which is bonded, possibly through EGC(s), to the service neutral, and from there to the source. If the panel we're talking about happens to be the service panel, then the water piping is a potential hazard because it is bonded back to.... yep the panel.
 
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