Spare breakers in a panel

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Charlie E

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A state inspector ( fire-life-safety) wants all spare breakers removed and blanks put in. She said its code. ? any help would be nice.
 
Charlie E said:
A state inspector ( fire-life-safety) wants all spare breakers removed and blanks put in. She said its code. ? any help would be nice.
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Ask her what code she's referring to. It is not in the NEC or any OSHA requirement.

As a matter of fact, it is a common practice for designers to include spare breakers in their sealed designs.

Roger
 
Section 408.4 of the 2008 NEC contains a sentence that reads, "Spare positions that contain unused overcurrent devices or switches shall be described accordingly." This sentence inherently implies that spare overcurrent devices are permitted.
 
I think there is something under panelboards that reads something like:

Unused spaces in panelboards shall be filled in with blank plates. (Going strictly from memory here - so it might not be exactly like that - or even similar.)

Anyhow, it sounds like she is confusing spare breakers with unused openings in the panel that would allow someone to touch the bus.

Steve
 
We've installed entire 42 circuit panels with 42 spare breakers. Does the life safety aspect have any bearing on the requirement?
 
I have used spare breakers to fill up unused spaces in a panelboard before. Cheaper then sending an apprentice to the store to get a panel blank filler.

Chris
 
Many empty building that we infil with tenants have 20A spare breakers. Pretty common actually. Just make sure its not connected to any wires that are hanging around :)
 
raider1 said:
I have used spare breakers to fill up unused spaces in a panelboard before. Cheaper then sending an apprentice to the store to get a panel blank filler.

Chris
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But not cheaper than having a few blanks laying around. You should be ashamed of yourself. :cool:
 
I think she will find herself looking stuoid. Was she blonde ?
I often see spare breakers in panels. They are not illegal unless she has code number to back it up. I am betting she mis reading about openings without blanks.
 
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