Subpanel in residence question.

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nate roach

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McKinleyville Ca
Can anyone tell me the height requirements for a subpanel in a residence in California. I set it at 51 1/2'' at the base , boss says its to high, but I think im right, and I cant find specs in the code book. can someone aim me in the right direction. Thanks.
 
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I cannot speak for California, but the NEC requirements are not for panel enclosures, but for the overcurrent devices located in the enclosure.

240.24(A) 6ft-7in above the floor when the center of the grip of the handle of the circuit breaker at its highest position. This would be for the overcurrent device that is in the highest position within the enclosure. There is no minimum dimension for the height of the panel.
 
well the wet dirt would be easy for the home runs, and I'll bet 2 hundred bucks the inspector wont be doing any crawling under the house! but really what is the standard? I ve never had a problem with this before.
 
Nate, I would say that most of us in the trade measure to the top of the enclosure, mostly

because they come in different sizes. A job spec. would be 6ft. or 6ft-7in. AFF to the top

of the enclosure. There is one more unwritten job spec. that says put it where the boss

wants it, someday you might be the boss and you will expect the same.
 
he pulled 47'' out of his #ear.. He said I should drop it a few inches, I thought it sat fine. I think I go read the good book some more and and talk to county (to see what they like) and do like Benaround said and Smile, not question, and do as commanded, cause... I could be that mean ol' bastard someday!! thanks guys.
 
Is you boss 4.5" shorter than you?:grin:

Everyone puts tham at a comfortable and logical working height.
 
nate roach said:
mind you gents this is on the second floor of said abode, so the beautiful earth is outta the question. my boss said 47'' I say 51-52''. ill move it, but I dont want to.
Click to expand...

This came up in another thread a while back, and the answer didn't come from the NEC, it came from some code dealing with ADA issues. The breaker had to be accessible to someone sitting in a wheelchair.
 
Way back when I did some residenital wiring with track homes, I actually had my wife go around and indicate heights of wall fixtures, exterior lighting etc. even the panel height for her convenience. Because I am 6'7" tall I always put things too high, Yes, most things are the eye of the beholder. Keep the handles less the 6'7" and your are fine.
 
CA Bldg Code - Chap. 11 - Accessibility, Section 1142A.2 deals with Switch and control heights...max. height is 48".

This may be where your boss came up with his height figure..even though this section does not deal specifically with breakers. I know we do not enforce this height restriction on panelboards.
 
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