SUB-Panel in Bedroom

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ashtrak

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Would there be any problem putting a sub-panel in a bedroom? I'm thinking about the code pertaining to afci's and was wondering if this would exclude a panel? Any thoughts appreciated.
 
bphgravity said:
I personally feel a panelboard located in a bedroom is poor design but agree not a direct code violation...
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Bryan, I'm curious as to why you feel that a panelboard in a bedroom is poor design?
 
I regularly see panelboards in bedrooms in very small <1000 sq-ft houses (without basements) and mobile homes.
 
I just feel when it comes to a dwelling, there are other more suitable places such as utility rooms, garages, ect... Again, just from an interior design point of view...
 
bphgravity said:
I just feel when it comes to a dwelling, there are other more suitable places such as utility rooms, garages, ect... Again, just from an interior design point of view...
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I agree, but sometimes the bedroom is the better option. Just did a tiny two bedroom apartment. Location choices: clothes closet (n.g.), kitchen, bathroom, living room. I opted for the bedroom behind a closet door. Not great but IMO the best spot given the circumstances.
 
"I personally feel a panelboard located in a bedroom is poor design but agree not a direct code violation..."


Yes i agree, bedroom interior is a poor location, my choice would be to put the panel exterior to the bedroom, they are located in the bedroom, rather then exterior, as a cost factor.

My objection is, any panel failure, would create the very incident we are trying to prevent, with the AFCI requirement, and in a sleeping area.
 
We try to locate the panel near the center of the load. As far as asthetics are concerned, many customers prefer to have them in the bedroom behind the door swing:( rather than my preference which might be the hallway. If it is new construction we will work with the cabinet maker to have a faceframe and cabinet door made to conceal the panel (it then just looks like a linen cabinet) in the hall. Out here we don't have basements and the common wall between the house and garage is treated as a firewall so we can't put a panel in it either.
 
Subpanel in Bedrooms? Bad idea...

Subpanel in Bedrooms? Bad idea...

Please check out this thread on panels in bedrooms, especailly my first post (seventh from the top.)

http://electrical-contractor.net/ubb/Forum2/HTML/001869.html

Be sure to follow the links within to the other threads, which provide graphic examples of why I feel it's a bad idea.

But, as I had mentioned in my second reply to the points I'd brought up (post #13) sometimes the reality of construction leaves no other choice.

Just because code allows it doesn't mean it's the best or safest of options.

edited for spelling
 
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I perfer locating electrical panels as close to the kitchen as possible, or the laundry area. The heavy loads get the shortest runs so vd is less on heavy loads. And because I am a cheapo and will try to save myself money at every chance I can unless it results in a crummy or unsafe install. Some additions I do require a new remote subpanel so I can put in Ark faults and such. Many times the bedroom is the only good allowed spot in these add on jobs due to clearance restrictions and no panels in bathrooms, clothes closets, etc, unless I put it outside, but hardly ever do.
 
There were a couple of references to putting the panel behind the closet door or bedroom door. Have I been living a lie and all these years believed that was against code! Maybe it is a local thing. Sure enough I made a quick search in my code book and couldn't find anything. Anyone?
 
Placing a panel by the heaviest loads? Now I really have read it all!
As John McEnroe said..."You can't be serious!"

Do y'all really put this much thought into wiring a house?
Panels go closest to the Meter. POCO tells where the meter goes.
Exceptions allowed if house is over 9000ft/2. Because then the house is custom & every architect and designer has had their input into everything way before you get to look at the plans and they don't want to hear from you.

I had 11 service calls today Installing Centameters in Breaker panels for the POCO and a test Pilot program they are doing.
Every panel was either in the garage or outback outside. Every Free king one.
 
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77401 said:
Placing a panel by the heaviest loads? Now I really have read it all!
As John McEnroe said..."You can't be serious!"

Do y'all really put this much thought into wiring a house?
Panels go closest to the Meter. POCO tells where the meter goes.
Exceptions allowed if house is over 9000ft/2. Because then the house is custom & every architect and designer has had their input into everything way before you get to look at the plans and they don't want to hear from you.

I had 11 service calls today Installing Centameters in Breaker panels for the POCO and a test Pilot program they are doing.
Every panel was either in the garage or outback outside. Every Free king one.
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I'm dead serious. Just because a house is only 2500sqft doesn't mean it deserves a lousy electrical system. I let the customer decide. If the dollars aren't there we go to minimum code req. and let them live with it. But if the money is there I really try and sell them a decent system. I'm getting a lot pickier about who I'll work for in my old age and I'm doing very little "minimum" work these days.
 
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