Weatherproof Panels?

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batch

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Florida
I have a friend who asked me about his panel. It is in an exterior closet with his water heater. He is having a tankless water heater installed outside next to the service. He wants to expand the bathrrom on the other side of the wall. The breaker panel sits directly on the other side of his shower. The pipes run a few inches from the side of the panel and his shower knob has a portion that is actually behind the panel box.

He is uncomfortable with this and wants to move it. I was thinking since he is wanting to expand his bathroom and he would not get much room and still get his required clearances. And since he already has to go outside to get to his breakers. Why not just put it outside next to the main?

They make exterior panels. Any reason he shouldn't go this option?
 
With the exception of convenience / incovenience, there is no reason not to go with that option.

Roger
 
Being he is in Florida i would aviod installing panels outdoors.They will fail lot sooner than you like.Any plumbing behind this panel should be safe as it is bonded to the ground.
 
Jim explain sooner? Do you mean the panel will last a month less outside?
I have the same or more heat than you and 95% humidity. Outdoor panels last just a long as the meter can or longer.
Outdoor panels last longer than most windows too!
Outdoor panels are no issue here on the Gulf Coast.
 
Jim W in Tampa said:
Lets just say that i have replaced many that simply rusted out.They will likely last 20 years with some help.
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Jim, I know of exterior panels in the Tampa Bay area that are in great shape and are more than 35 years old and have had no special attention, the house I grew up in for one example. :rolleyes:

Directly on the beach is another story, but that can be in any state close to the sea.

Roger
 
Roger,
Jim, I know of exterior panels in the Tampa Bay area that are in great shape and are more than 35 years old and have had no special attention, the house I grew up in for one example.
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I would be willing to bet that a new one installed today would not last 35 years. They used better or thicker paint back then.
Don
 
Often part of the problem is they get mounted to block wall before the stuco gets gets applied.The air gap is needed.I stand by my opinion (3 cents worth) to aviod this install.Not saying i would never do it.Sometimes its the only good choice.I remember one that had lost the entire bottom.House was on a small lake but no salt water.Hate to see someone foot the bill for this kind of reason.
 
Outdoor panels are no longer allowed in this area as nobody has figured a way to install rx to them without bundeling the wires.
 
Yes, meter enclosures, combo meter/mains with lots of spaces. Mostly used for pool/ ac/ pumps etc. How would you get enough wires for a complete 40000 square foot house in one. No longer allowed to stuff as many rx's into a 2" pvc as you used to.
 
77401 said:
I don't free king get it.
Jim is worried about outdoor enclosures in Florida?
I'd be worried out my windows & roof lasting 20 years with all the hurricanes.
What about a wind rating for outdoor enclosures in 2011 NEC?
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I would bet that over half the population of Florida wont live in the same home for 20 years.
 
Cavie said:
Yes, meter enclosures, combo meter/mains with lots of spaces. Mostly used for pool/ ac/ pumps etc. How would you get enough wires for a complete 40000 square foot house in one.
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Let me catch you before you fall off the deep end.

I would have a hard time seeing a 40,000 sq.ft. house using a panel or two, much less a metermain all-in-one doing the job. :)
 
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