Residential load center location

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nizak

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I’ve got a room that is located off a second floor bonus room. It is not called a closet on the print rather a storage space.

A sub panel located here would be a huge asset in providing power to the second floor since the main service is in the garage at the opposite end of the house.

Would this be call made by the AHJ determining if that space is a clothes closet?

Trying to bid the job and this is a factor that will affect the price enough to matter.

10 120V home runs and and 2 240V circuits back to the main or 1 feeder to the sub panel.

Thanks
 
I would say this is up to the AHJ.
The NEC doesn't expressly forbid locating panels (overcurrent devices) in closets. It forbids them from being located, "...in the vicinity of easily ignitible material, such as clothes closets."
Many inspectors have their own rules-of-thumb such as, "If you can put a bed in the room, it's a bedroom. If that bedroom has a closet, it's a clothes closet. You can't put a panel there."
 
Electromatic said:
I would say this is up to the AHJ.
The NEC doesn't expressly forbid locating panels (overcurrent devices) in closets. It forbids them from being located, "...in the vicinity of easily ignitible material, such as clothes closets."
Many inspectors have their own rules-of-thumb such as, "If you can put a bed in the room, it's a bedroom. If that bedroom has a closet, it's a clothes closet. You can't put a panel there."
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However, (there's always a however in life), I can put a bed in my living room, and there is a closet in the living room. Does that make my living room a bedroom? 😀

Ron
 
Regardless of what you are allowed to do, I would stay out of closets altogether. Nearly every panel I have ever seen in a closet gets clothes, boxes and junk piled around it, often enough to hide it totally. Sometimes customer didn't even know it was there and spent hours finding it. Or at least having to move lots of junk to get to it. Worked in a hoarder's house and didn't have anywhere to put the stuff I moved.

Much better to put your panel in a hallway wall IMHO. Or sometimes a laundry room has an open wall. If the bonus room is the only upstairs room, maybe somewhere on a wall in there. Or the stairway landing wall leading into it?
 
rc/retired said:
However, (there's always a however in life), I can put a bed in my living room, and there is a closet in the living room. Does that make my living room a bedroom? 😀

Ron
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There is a refrigerator, microwave, and small counter in my bedroom, along with a full sized desk. , Now I'm confused

And at the old house I had a sofa bed in the living room
 
If I were the AHJ and I saw 'storage' on the plans I'd be asking about 110.26.
Also it sure sounds like this room could end up being a clothes closet.
So I think it sounds like a bad idea.

This recent post and thread is relevant:

NEC 110.26(B) and trash cans

How is your toolbag not an obstacle? The code does not use the word 'obstacle'. It uses the word 'storage'. See dictionary definition. I don't need a dictionary I have Article 100. :) Accessible, Readily (Readily Accessible). Capable of being reached quickly for operation, renewal, or...
forums.mikeholt.com
 
nizak said:
I’ve got a room that is located off a second floor bonus room. It is not called a closet on the print rather a storage space.

A sub panel located here would be a huge asset in providing power to the second floor since the main service is in the garage at the opposite end of the house.

Would this be call made by the AHJ determining if that space is a clothes closet?

Trying to bid the job and this is a factor that will affect the price enough to matter.

10 120V home runs and and 2 240V circuits back to the main or 1 feeder to the sub panel.

Thanks
Click to expand...
...is located off a 2nd floor bonus room...
bonus room itself not usable?
 
I would not put a panel in there. However much they tell it won’t get used for storage, you know they will put things in there once work is complete.
nizak said:
Owner would rather not see the panel in a room that will be “used” regularly
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Would they like to “use” power in this room or see from the lights using it?
 
James L said:
I would have no problem putting a subpanel behind the door of that bonus room (presuming it opens inward).
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same here. When panel goes in a basement storage room it often is behind the entry door when it is opened because they aren't going to store anything in that spot.
 
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