Sub-panel in Laundry Room, 3.5 feet from sink

[Sparky110]

The homeowner would like to place a sub-panel across the hall from the Laundry sink...3.5 feet away...I guess this is ok, but it seems wrong to me...can't find anything prohibiting it in the code...comments?:?

 

[jumper]

NEC legal and common install.

What is your problem with it? The sink?

 

[charlie b]

Not a code violation, and in my opinion not a safety concern either.

 

[wyreman]

working clearances

working clearances

watch out for working clearances
shoulder width and a step back
nothing in that space.

 

[Npstewart]

The homeowner would like to place a sub-panel across the hall from the Laundry sink...3.5 feet away...I guess this is ok, but it seems wrong to me...can't find anything prohibiting it in the code...comments?:?

I would think about it this way. Many electrical panels are located outside, open to the elements and get rained on, snowed on, and whatever else and there arent any problems. If its just located near a sink, this seems pretty safe. Even if they wash their hands and then decide to flip circuit breakers for whatever reason, everything is sealed and closed. I would say it is much more likely for someoneone to plug an iron in and have it fall in the sink then it is to have a problem with someone getting shocked by the panel.

 

[ActionDave]

I agree with others. No problem.

 

[mjf]

watch out for working clearances
shoulder width and a step back:?:?
nothing in that space.

Never heard of a tape measure???

 

[jumper]

Never heard of a tape measure???

Eh, I use the shoulder and step method also......good enough for resi IMHO.

 

[Sparky110]

OK. Even my wife knew this one.

OK. Even my wife knew this one.

Even my wife already knew this answer. I get the paranoid award. Thanks everyone!

 

[mjf]

Eh, I use the shoulder and step method also......good enough for resi IMHO.

Never, ever heard that method before. Good thing too, as my shoulder width is about 24" and 30" is required

 

[jumper]

Never, ever heard that method before. Good thing too, as my shoulder width is about 24" and 30" is required

As working clearances in residential are rarely maintained more than 5 minutes after inspection, I do not worry about it too much. Never been failed on this yet.

 

[mjf]

As working clearances in residential are rarely maintained more than 5 minutes after inspection, I do not worry about it too much. Never been failed on this yet.

:lol: I do always stress to homeowners that I can't control what they do after I leave, but please, please, please don't move all this stuff back into the way until after the inspector comes and goes!

 

[JDBrown]

:lol: I do always stress to homeowners that I can't control what they do after I leave, but please, please, please don't move all this stuff back into the way until after the inspector comes and goes!

This is one reason I'm kind of glad my house has an exterior panelboard -- I don't have to feel guilty for piling stuff in front of it because it's in a place where I wouldn't want to put anything anyway. The only thing infringing on that panel's working space is an ornamental tree in dire need of pruning.