Receptacles required for Panelboards???

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starbright28

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Minnesota
I've been searching the code book to find this answer - but are receptacles required to be mounted near panelboards?

I have installed them near panelboards - for houses and new they were for temporary power during construction, but I am wondering if this just a nice thing to do or if this really is a requirement.

Then does it apply to commerical panelboard locations as well?

Thanks in advance.
 
starbright28 said:
I've been searching the code book to find this answer - but are receptacles required to be mounted near panelboards?
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To my knowledge their is no requirement for a receptable to be placed by a panelboard but it isn't a bad idea. It can't hurt
 
Don't know if they are NEC required or not, but working in the Chicago suburban area I have always mounted a GFCI protected outlet right off the panel on it's own breaker when installing panels. I learned this from the contractor I used to work for and went ahead and adopted the practice. I do know it was required by certain AHJs but don't know if it is NEC required. I just do it every time. I do think it is a good convenience outlet.
 
But it is possible, even likely, that the wall in which the panel is installed might be one of the walls that needs receptacles every so many feet. So you might have an outlet that is convenient enough to assist in any work that might be needed in the panelboard.
 
Recpt

Recpt

Here in New England 99% of our panels in residential applications are in the basement Art. 210.52 (G) This is why we install GFI recpt's beside or beneath the service panel.
 
If I do a service for a new house, the inspector will not pass the service unless I install a gfi, does not have to be on the panel, but a receptacle is required, they feel that if the service gets hooked up some monkey will do anything necessary to get power instead of using a generator...:)
 
We usually install a recepticle next to the panel for the service inspection (usually at the same time as rough). GFCI protection as required for temp power (590.6(A). It is usually also for the required outlet for a unfinished basement or garage, depending on the service panel location. This is all residential
 
stickboy1375 said:
If I do a service for a new house, the inspector will not pass the service unless I install a gfi, does not have to be on the panel, but a receptacle is required, they feel that if the service gets hooked up some monkey will do anything necessary to get power instead of using a generator...:)
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This just kills me. I cannot understand how anyone would comply with this without discussing it further with the "AHJ".

As an inspector, I ask guys all the time, "why did you do that?... because the other inspector wanted it."


The only way I can see this type of idiotic nonsense being reduced is for the contractors and their men being better versed in the code and local amendments.

We have one of those "special" inspectors in our area. Some of the stuff the guys are installing is almost funny, if it wasn't so absurd to see what he is requiring.
 
Receptacles required for panelboards???

Receptacles required for panelboards???

starbright28 said:
I've been searching the code book to find this answer - but are receptacles required to be mounted near panelboards?

I have installed them near panelboards - for houses and new they were for temporary power during construction, but I am wondering if this just a nice thing to do or if this really is a requirement.

Then does it apply to commerical panelboard locations as well?

Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...

There is no requirement for a receptacle at a panelboard, but most panels are located in an unfinished basement or garage.I think the reason that there are so many being installed that it is an easy way to meet the requirements of NEC 210.52(G)
 
I agree that it is not an NEC requirement. Where I live it might even be a problem -- receptacles have a rather low SCCR rating, and one of the local jurisdictions requires that the branch circuit be long enough to drop the calculated maximum available fault current at the receptacle to below the receptacle's SCCR rating. A 200A residential service here is assumed to have 10,000A fault current at the service, and most residential services are exterior "all in one" units with integrated panels.
 
Pierre C Belarge said:
This just kills me. I cannot understand how anyone would comply with this without discussing it further with the "AHJ".

As an inspector, I ask guys all the time, "why did you do that?... because the other inspector wanted it."


The only way I can see this type of idiotic nonsense being reduced is for the contractors and their men being better versed in the code and local amendments.

We have one of those "special" inspectors in our area. Some of the stuff the guys are installing is almost funny, if it wasn't so absurd to see what he is requiring.
Click to expand...

I need a receptacle in the basement to meet code anyhow... so why have a pi**ing contest with the guy? At least he's smart enough to see a problem before its a REAL problem... No offense to you Pierre.
 
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Pierre C Belarge said:
This just kills me. I cannot understand how anyone would comply with this without discussing it further with the "AHJ"
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Pierre, I think one of the myths is if you give an inspector grief, he comes back next time with an attitude.With me ,i like to have conversations with inspectors and discuss the article #'s with respect.Usually, when an article # is given, that pretty much sums it up on the simple issues.
Rick
 
Typically I install a receptacle at the panel location because (1) I know I can get early service as that is required by the local AHJ here and (2) allows me a place to PLUG into for light when I am finishing out the panel on the finish out.

We typically wrap the other conductors inside the panel and only feed the GFCI receptacle and then in most places ( larger homes with a panel room ) we are in the dark on the trim out...so it gives me a place to hook up a light while I get things all hooked up.
 
In my town. the POCO won't energize a service if there are no GFI protected receps installed. I guess if you control the power, you have power. BTW if I pass a service without GFI receps, I get my hand slapped.
 
it is beginning to dawn on me more that most of the panels that I helped install for residential were in garages or in the basement. Rarely in another room, hence the requirement for a GFCI receptacle.

But for Commerical, would it be a nice thing to do, because there is no requirement?
 
starbright28 said:
it is beginning to dawn on me more that most of the panels that I helped install for residential were in garages or in the basement. Rarely in another room, hence the requirement for a GFCI receptacle.

But for Commerical, would it be a nice thing to do, because there is no requirement?
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No one would argue whether it would be a good idea to have one. It never hurts except in the pocket book. The issue was whether it was code or not. It is not code but as others have said it covers other requirements and is handy.
 
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