Sub-Panels in a walk-in closet
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al hildenbrand
Senior Member
- Location
- Minnesota
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- Electrical Contractor, Electrical Consultant, Electrical Engineer
Re: Sub-Panels in a walk-in closet
al hildenbrand
Senior Member
- Location
- Minnesota
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor, Electrical Consultant, Electrical Engineer
Re: Sub-Panels in a walk-in closet
Now, that reference given, I had one client that had a panel in a walkin closet. That panel was directly opposite the door of a 9' x 9' space. He put sliding doors in along both sides of what became a hallway leading from the doorway into the space and ending at the panel.
The AHJ accepted the "closets" as behind the sliding doors, and the panel was in the hallway between the two closets.
Now, that reference given, I had one client that had a panel in a walkin closet. That panel was directly opposite the door of a 9' x 9' space. He put sliding doors in along both sides of what became a hallway leading from the doorway into the space and ending at the panel.
The AHJ accepted the "closets" as behind the sliding doors, and the panel was in the hallway between the two closets.
al hildenbrand
Senior Member
- Location
- Minnesota
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor, Electrical Consultant, Electrical Engineer
Re: Sub-Panels in a walk-in closet
Seriously,
The word "vicinity" isn't defined in the Code directly, so we turn to the dictionary.
If the sliding doors are acceptable to the AHJ as defining the space of the closet from the space of the hallway, then I would say the hallway, while being next to the closet, is not in the closet therefore the panel in the hallway is outside the closet, no longer in the vicinity of the combustibles in the closet.
So. . .if I put my OCP in a panel in my house next to my nieghbor's house. . .???
Seriously,
The word "vicinity" isn't defined in the Code directly, so we turn to the dictionary.
If the sliding doors are acceptable to the AHJ as defining the space of the closet from the space of the hallway, then I would say the hallway, while being next to the closet, is not in the closet therefore the panel in the hallway is outside the closet, no longer in the vicinity of the combustibles in the closet.
al hildenbrand
Senior Member
- Location
- Minnesota
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor, Electrical Consultant, Electrical Engineer
Re: Sub-Panels in a walk-in closet
- Location
- Logan, Utah
Re: Sub-Panels in a walk-in closet
This section has always bothered me. It says "Overcurrent devices shall not be located in the vicinity of easily ignitible material, such as clothes closets." I think that we tend to get caught up in the "such as clothes closets" and don't look at section as a whole.
What I mean is exactly what we are talking about with this thread, what is "in the vicinity". I wired a home a few years back that had a "clothes closet" that was 500 sq feet +. This room was designed for storage as well as changing ect.. I didn't install a panel in there but got to wondering if I had an area that was clear of clothes racks and shelves, could a panel be placed there?
In the same token what about a pantry or storage closet with say, toilet paper stored next to the panel?
Just curious if others have had the same questions.
Chris
This section has always bothered me. It says "Overcurrent devices shall not be located in the vicinity of easily ignitible material, such as clothes closets." I think that we tend to get caught up in the "such as clothes closets" and don't look at section as a whole.
What I mean is exactly what we are talking about with this thread, what is "in the vicinity". I wired a home a few years back that had a "clothes closet" that was 500 sq feet +. This room was designed for storage as well as changing ect.. I didn't install a panel in there but got to wondering if I had an area that was clear of clothes racks and shelves, could a panel be placed there?
In the same token what about a pantry or storage closet with say, toilet paper stored next to the panel?
Just curious if others have had the same questions.
Chris
al hildenbrand
Senior Member
- Location
- Minnesota
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor, Electrical Consultant, Electrical Engineer
Re: Sub-Panels in a walk-in closet
Chris,
The OP nailed it.
Chris,
The OP nailed it.
If the AHJ thinks it can be maintained, and the combustibles are not in the "vicinity", then it's like triphase was saying.
- Location
- New Jersey
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- Journeyman Electrician
Re: Sub-Panels in a walk-in closet
If the room is big enough for changing, etc. IMO it would be not be a clothes closet. I would call it a changing room. I think that a room that is 500 sq feet wouldn't be considered a clothes closet. I'd love to see the tax assessors face when he's told that the huge room is only a closet.
sparkslord
Member
Re: Sub-Panels in a walk-in closet
The city of Las Vegas allows this. It is in their amendment to the NEC.
The city of Las Vegas allows this. It is in their amendment to the NEC.
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