Panelboards in Bedrooms

[al hildenbrand]

A piece of wire is a device.

Interesting.

I don't see "Device" used in the definitions of Conductor, Bare; Conductor, Covered; and Conductor, Insulated.

 

[raider1]

Interesting.

I don't see "Device" used in the definitions of Conductor, Bare; Conductor, Covered; and Conductor, Insulated.

The purpose of a wire is to carry current, so it meets the definition of device.

Device. A unit of an electrical system that carries or controls electric energy as its principal function.

Chris

 

[al hildenbrand]

The purpose of a wire is to carry current, so it meets the definition of device.

Ok.
I can imagine that a branch circuit conductor is a Device (Art. 100).
Even with conductors being devices, to say that "a panel is a device, not an outlet" is still an incomplete answer that by itself is wrong.
A receptacle is a device, and it is a Receptacle Outlet.
If Premesis Wiring (System) conductors are soldered to Utilization Equipment conductors, there is an Outlet, and, as Chris states, a Device is present in the form of the "electrical system" conductors.

 

[roger]

Al, we both remember this thread don't we.

Now, what ever argument you may try to use as your back up, a panel would not be required to be AFCI protected unless it was only served with a 125 volt 15 or 20 amp branch circuit, which would be hard to do since by definition, it would be served with a feeder and probably a L-L feeder at that.

You want try for a 800 post thread? (Just kidding)

Roger

 

[al hildenbrand]

You want try for a 800 post thread? (Just kidding)

Awww, c'mon Roger. . .where's your sense of adventure?

 

[al hildenbrand]

Would a panel be considered an outlet. Would it have to be all on arcfault. Even the feeder!

Roger, I agree with you that the AFCI protection of the feeder to a panel in a bedroom location falls outside of the limits of 210.12, with the unusual exception of a panel on a 15 or 20 Amp 125 Volt feeder.

However, given the Definitions of:

1. Premesis Wiring (System)
2. Controller
3. Outlet

A circuit breaker (used as a Controller) has an Outlet present in it because the wiring internal to controllers is not part of the Premesis Wiring (System).

I conclude that a panel is a multioutlet assembly, some of which are 15 or 20 Amp 125 Volt, and therefore fall under 210.12(B) when the panel is inside the "living spaces" listed in 2008 NEC 210.12(B), or inside the bedroom for those jurisdictions enforcing the 2005 NEC.

 

[ElectromotiveForce]

From another thread (I'd don't mean to pick on you, mxslick):

I'm curious - how many people believe that a panelboard in a bedroom is not a safe practice? I've never thought twice about it.

Should'nt AFCI requirements apply to the panel feeder? Food for thought.