What's an approved panel filler

[JefGod137]

Hello all - This is my first post.
We have a 1969 vintage building with (17) 480V 3PH panels for lighting. Many of these have been reworked over the years leaving circuit breaker spaces open. Vendors advise the specific fillers have been obsolete and unavailable for about 14 years and they have not been able to locate a suitable aftermarket replacement. 2005 code 408.7 refers to "other approved means" of sealing these openings.

I'm not certain what other approved means of sealing the blanks is since proper filler plates are not available. How have you handled this in a compliant manner? Thanks- Jeffrey

 

[jumper]

Bolt a piece of sheet metal over the openings.

Approved just means acceptable to the AHJ, the blanks do not have to be listed.

 

[cadpoint]

Rivits and rivit tool, less pieces, smaller holes, maybe with a washer-backer, JMO.

 

[Strathead]

Bolt a piece of sheet metal over the openings.

Approved just means acceptable to the AHJ, the blanks do not have to be listed.

Just to be inspector proof, use sheet metal at least the same thickness as the original enclosure., or stick old breakers in the slots.

 

[templdl]

Red Green has the answer.

But there are fillers available from the panel manufactures. I'm sure that the equipment must fall under art 110 for its intended use by the manufacturer.

 

[JefGod137]

Just to be inspector proof, use sheet metal at least the same thickness as the original enclosure., or stick old breakers in the slots.

My first thought was to put old breakers in the slots, but it turns out we don't have old breakers and new 480V bolt-ins are expensive. Thanks for the advise.

 

[JefGod137]

Red Green has the answer.

But there are fillers available from the panel manufactures. I'm sure that the equipment must fall under art 110 for its intended use by the manufacturer.

Like the Red Green idea. But our safety officer thinks it's not accceptable, even with 12 layers...LOL...

The manufacturers rep of the panels advises they have no current production filler that wil fit.

 

[JefGod137]

I think we are going to look at bolting/riveting a piece of sheetmetal, the same thickness as the panel cover, over the openings.

Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[jumper]

I think we are going to look at bolting/riveting a piece of sheetmetal, the same thickness as the panel cover, over the openings.

Thanks for the suggestions.

I have done it many times and always passed. My emergency standby patch is covering holes with a 4 x 4 blank cover.

 

[iwire]

My emergency standby patch is covering holes with a 4 x 4 blank cover.

Yeah done that more than a few times.

 

[jumper]

Yeah done that more than a few times.

I know, who do you think I learned that trick from.:thumbsup:

 

[pete m.]

I have done it many times and always passed. My emergency standby patch is covering holes with a 4 x 4 blank cover.

And, IMHO, is perfectly acceptable.

Pete

 

[templdl]

Like the Red Green idea. But our safety officer thinks it's not accceptable, even with 12 layers...LOL...

The manufacturers rep of the panels advises they have no current production filler that wil fit.

What is the panel type and manufacturer? If it is a Westinghouse product there may be an outside chance that I may of some parts books that I can reference.
Otherwise I would agree with the others that you are going to have to tap the AJH on the shoulder and tell him your tale of whoa and wee what he would accept that was you don't waist a lot of time and it probably would make him feel good as you asked for his opinion.