Questionable work performed by licensed electrician

[growler]

The second indoor rated Cutler-Hammer sub-panel was installed in the attic, two feet (to the top circuit breaker) above attic decking, but easily accessible from the pull-down ladder accessing the attic opening. Is this acceptable? What min/max height requirement is typically required?

The location at the scuttle hole is convenient for resetting breakers without the need to enter the attic space. As for singing off on the sub-panels, well, a nod is as good as a wink to a blind chimpanzee.

I may be seeing this wrong but if you can reset breakers without entering the attic space that would mean the panel is above the drop down stairs, right? If this is the way things are then the sub panel location would not be legal. Panels are not allow in stairways and I would assume that also means drop down types. You would need a minimum of 36" of attic flooring in front of the panel.

 

[Jraef]

There is no "flush mount" NEMA 3R panel option, so if you insisted on having a flush mount panel for aesthetic reasons, that limited it to an Indoor panel set into the stucco wall. Had he used a 3R rated panel, it would have been surface mounted, you cannot embed a 3R panel into the stucco. The inspector may have allowed it if the Electrician convinced him that it was the only way to handle this situation and felt that the overhang was enough to keep it dry.

 

[florida-sparkey]

agree. An attic is generally not a confined space. The issue that the OP would nave with this is whether the required working clearances are adhered to.

Lets not forget working clearances AND dedicated space up to 6 feet

 

[JFletcher]

Welcome. As for question #2, no, it isnt legal to have the sub-panel mounted in the attic in a way that would require the door be closed/stood on, or accessed while standing on an open stairwell; working clearance violation.

If I my ask you a question: why the 2 125A panels "configured for 30A service"? Are the HVAC units gas-fired? If I needed a 125A panel for future loads, I wouldn't restrict it by using a feeder good for just 30A.

 

[kwired]

Lets not forget working clearances AND dedicated space up to 6 feet

Dedicated space is six feet above equipment or structural ceiling - whichever is lower. Working clearance can be reduced to 6 feet height in dwellings IIRC, want to say it also has to be 200 amp or less.

 

[Strathead]

Dedicated space is six feet above equipment or structural ceiling - whichever is lower. Working clearance can be reduced to 6 feet height in dwellings IIRC, want to say it also has to be 200 amp or less.

I caught that. I think he meant headroom minimum of 6 feet, but since that was covered by my blanket "working clearance". And you are right, requirement is 6 1/2' minimum with an exception for existing installations under 200 amp in dwelling units.

 

[Papa-Gus]

There is no "flush mount" NEMA 3R panel option, so if you insisted on having a flush mount panel for aesthetic reasons, that limited it to an Indoor panel set into the stucco wall. Had he used a 3R rated panel, it would have been surface mounted, you cannot embed a 3R panel into the stucco. The inspector may have allowed it if the Electrician convinced him that it was the only way to handle this situation and felt that the overhang was enough to keep it dry.

True, aesthetics played an important part in selecting a flush mounted sub-panel for the back patio. The main feed panel (connecting the house to the utility company) is also flush mounted to the stucco exterior and without the benefit of a patio cover. It does not appear to be any more suitable for outdoor applications yet they are prevalent throughout neighborhoods. This is one mystery I will let go unsolved and accept the installation of the service panel and sub-panel as satisfactory.

 

[Papa-Gus]

Welcome. As for question #2, no, it isnt legal to have the sub-panel mounted in the attic in a way that would require the door be closed/stood on, or accessed while standing on an open stairwell; working clearance violation.

If I my ask you a question: why the 2 125A panels "configured for 30A service"? Are the HVAC units gas-fired? If I needed a 125A panel for future loads, I wouldn't restrict it by using a feeder good for just 30A.

These sub-panels will never be used to their full current rating specifications. They were installed mostly for convenience and less for expansion; they will never see greater than a 30A load. The furnace/air-handler is your typical single residence forced air system (~80,000 BTU). I simply want it relocated into the attic so I don't have to turn up the television every time the fan energizes.

 

[Jraef]

True, aesthetics played an important part in selecting a flush mounted sub-panel for the back patio. The main feed panel (connecting the house to the utility company) is also flush mounted to the stucco exterior and without the benefit of a patio cover. It does not appear to be any more suitable for outdoor applications yet they are prevalent throughout neighborhoods. This is one mystery I will let go unsolved and accept the installation of the service panel and sub-panel as satisfactory.

There are several mfrs who make what are called "semi-flush" outdoor rated meter-main panels, some of those come with load centers too. They are rated for outdoor use when the wall has 6" studs (because of rear clearance requirements) or are going on a garage wall where the inside is not finished. My house is like that. They have an extra flange that ends up going on the outside of the stucco so that you can get a good weathertight seal (using something like butyl sealing compound) against the stucco to keep out moisture and insects. Then because all of the knockouts are on the inside of that flange, you don't need Hubs for connecting conduit into it. I have never seen that in anything other than meter-main units though.

 

[Papa-Gus]

Thank you for the opportunity to discuss my issues on your forum. I acknowledge it is directed toward licensed professionals who are capable of communicating on a level within their own trade organizations. I appreciate you letting me "hangout" with the pros, enjoyed my time here, learned plenty, but now must depart.

Happy holidays!