For planning purposes.
My 50+ year old 200 A service panel needs replacement. It's on an outside wall near the meter, over stairs to the basement. When standing on the most suitable step, it's 6' 3" from the stair to the top of the main switch. In another thread that I can't find today, it was argued this isn't an NEC violation but does violate some building codes. The likely relevant codes in Vermont are the International Building Code, IBC, 2015 edition; NFPA 1 Fire Code, 2015 edition and NFPA 70 National Electrical Code, 2020 edition.
Option 1: try to figure out an excuse to treat the current situation as grandfathered, and put a new MLO where the old one is and add an outdoor disconnect/main breaker. Personal reaction: the intent is to provide a nice safe place to work near the panel, and this option doesn't accomplish that.
Option 2. Install an outdoor MCB outdoors on the opposite side of the wall where the one being replaced is. Avoid the difficult attic access by installing junction boxes and splice the existing NM to a wet location wire and feed through a short conduit or nipple to the outdoor panel. Satisfies the need in the new code for an external disconnect. The grade is near the side door, nice and smooth, and I routinely shovel it during snow storms.
Option 3. Install an indoor MLO in a small bedroom about 15 feet from the current location, the closest place that's not on an outside wall, has adequate head space in attic, and not under the main beam that supports the ceiling rafters. External disconnect/main breaker as in option 1. Junction boxes in current location and attic to extend branch circuits to the new MLO. Reasons for not using an outside wall are to reduce heat loss due to no insulation and to keep the breakers warm.
I'd welcome opinions.
My 50+ year old 200 A service panel needs replacement. It's on an outside wall near the meter, over stairs to the basement. When standing on the most suitable step, it's 6' 3" from the stair to the top of the main switch. In another thread that I can't find today, it was argued this isn't an NEC violation but does violate some building codes. The likely relevant codes in Vermont are the International Building Code, IBC, 2015 edition; NFPA 1 Fire Code, 2015 edition and NFPA 70 National Electrical Code, 2020 edition.
Option 1: try to figure out an excuse to treat the current situation as grandfathered, and put a new MLO where the old one is and add an outdoor disconnect/main breaker. Personal reaction: the intent is to provide a nice safe place to work near the panel, and this option doesn't accomplish that.
Option 2. Install an outdoor MCB outdoors on the opposite side of the wall where the one being replaced is. Avoid the difficult attic access by installing junction boxes and splice the existing NM to a wet location wire and feed through a short conduit or nipple to the outdoor panel. Satisfies the need in the new code for an external disconnect. The grade is near the side door, nice and smooth, and I routinely shovel it during snow storms.
Option 3. Install an indoor MLO in a small bedroom about 15 feet from the current location, the closest place that's not on an outside wall, has adequate head space in attic, and not under the main beam that supports the ceiling rafters. External disconnect/main breaker as in option 1. Junction boxes in current location and attic to extend branch circuits to the new MLO. Reasons for not using an outside wall are to reduce heat loss due to no insulation and to keep the breakers warm.
I'd welcome opinions.