Is Existing Placement of my breaker panel a code violation/unsafe

3 years ago

last modified: 3 years ago

My breaker panel is located in basement laundry area, mounted on plaster (I guess ) wall, mounted directly to wall and close above laundry tub. This is how it’s been since we bought the house about 15 years ago. See picture. We are evaluating a whole house generator and have had several electricians Come out to discuss generator and connection. We had 3 give estimates and none of them said anything bad about panel or existing wiring. Now we had a fourth electricIan come out from a large reputable company to discuss generator andhesaid his company wouldn’t do the generator project unless they moved the breaker panel and did some rewiring. He says it is against code to have panel mounted directly to wall because water from outside wall could leak into box. Also that it should be mounted close to sink as it is. We have had several electricians doing unrelated things which necessitated them doing things in breaker box and none of them said anything about code and the box. None of the other 3 electricians for generator said anything about box. And nothing about it was said in our home inspection 15 years ago. Is this out of code, and as is not fixing this dangerous for us.

thanks

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Comments (9)

HU-178658043
3 years ago
The outside wall restriction is a new one on me. The sink, though does violate the 'unobstructed access to the breaker panel' rule. However, unless the breaker panel is modified in conjunction with the transfer switch installation, most inspectors wouldn't give the installer a hard time about it.

YMMV
mitchell fox
Original Author
3 years ago
Thanks. The breaker panel would be modified.
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Sure thing. I think I will be safe considering IT ISNT LIVE. And my kids wont be killed because IT ISNT LIVE. And considering that I have already said that I would absolutely have it all checked before it is finalized Â I think all will be well. Oh, about the hot Âtub Â I didnÂt mean to insinuate that it is hooked up now. I have only used it a few times, I donÂt have it hooked up on a permanent basis. But the pool on the other hand, I really want to get that addressed but it would be easier to address that after the garage is figured out because it is half way to the pool. I do run that off of an extension cord, but only once a week at the most, and I never do it when the pool is in use because of my fear that the cord would get wet. So I hope you understand that I am looking to have it all done the right way, but I canÂt do it all at once. I guess the first step is the garage; like you had said.
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The reason it's a code violation is because it is a fire hazard, just like the entire NEC, being written by the NFPA. It is called out in your inspection report, therefor you should be able to have the seller fix it. I have still installed panel changes in places that were like this, but they would not pass if the inspector could figure out an appliance was going there. The last time i had this issue, the inspector told me to remove the dryer outlet, and plug the dryer vent hole. And that is how i left it. Turning a blind eye to whatever the homeowner was going to try to do later, although you and me both know that the dryer is going right back in the same place. Moving a dryer or refrigerator out of the way is NOT 'readily accessible'. On an electrical forum people are even giving grief to boxes of various chemicals under the sink getting in the way of pushing the button on a gfi recept, so you could imagine their thoughts on having to move a dryer out of the way. That being said, the only fire hazard is if your house is on fire and somebody is going to try to get to the panel to kill electricity to the house. Assuming you have a main breaker panel, the danger would be almost nothing since the main is easy to find. If you don't have a main, then it would take longer to turn off everything, but still doable in a matter of seconds. So the danger is almost non existant. However if you hire someone to do work on your panel, as in a breaker fails, then you will have a pissed off electrician, that has to tell you to move the dryer out of the way, just like whenever we have to open a panel at any chinese restaurant, mini market etc etc. Almost every business has nine tons of crap piled in front of the panel. This is the most common code violation you could think of. I would not worry about it, but when it comes to sell your house, i will bet that YOU are going to be the one to hire me to move your dryer circuit, and you are looking at about 5 hundies.
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mike_home
3 years ago
Will the electrician who will do the work apply for an electrical permit? If so then someone needs to talk to the code official about what is required. Codes change over time. You can't rely on what an electrician says. The code official has the final say whether the installation is code compliant.
mitchell fox
Original Author
3 years ago
Thanks. I think they talked about permit. Not sure. The biggest question for us now I think is regardless of whether we do generator or not, do we need to move breaker box if not for our safety sake. And this electrician also pointed out some corrosion and a little water in outside box that is connected to meter
sktn77a
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
I have 2 houses (decent quality builds), both have breaker boxes on outside walls - 1 x 200amp in one and 2 x 200 amp in the other and above ground. I don't know about mounting in a basement area though. Regardsless, you may want to move the laundry sink (much easier than moving all the wiring). It may not be against any code but it doesn't sound safe to me.

And DEFINITELY get a permit and inspection fr this work.
mitchell fox
Original Author
3 years ago
Thanks
Bruce in Northern Virginia
3 years ago
The panel location does violate current code. There is supposed to be a 30" wide and 36" deep unobstructed space in front of the panel. Just picture yourself sliding an empty refrigerator box up in front of the panel - in your case the sink would definitely be in the way.
https://cdnassets.hw.net/dims4/GG/d2a64dc/2147483647/resize/300x%3E/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdnassets.hw.net%2F8f%2Fdc%2F19e726504d8fbc59045cf5a2d281%2Ftmp5-2etmp-tcm96-1045565.jpg

Electricians usually put a sheet of plywood on the wall and then screw the panel to the plywood, but this is more for convenience than it is for any code requirement I'm aware of. The plywood gives them somewhere to screw down the panel, hammer in wire staples, etc.

Bruce
kathyg_in_mi
3 years ago
Our home, built in 1970 has the breaker panel directly above the gas water heater. I wanted to put in a whole house generator, but DH said the cost to move the electrical box would be too expensive. We have a portable generator and he says as long as he’s around it will do.
mike_home
3 years ago
I believe you can meet the clearance rule if you move or replace the sink so that the right hand edge is 30 inches from the door. That will also allow the door to swing open without hitting the sink. I don't think there is a rule about the minimum distance from a faucet to a circuit panel. Someone who knows the electrical code can correct me if that is not the case.

What is a problem is the old wiring. I see a mixture of BX and Romex cable. The Romex cable may not be allowed in your municipality. The code official will make a determination if the current panel and wiring meets the latest municipal code..

Is Existing Placement of my breaker panel a code violation/unsafe

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HU-178658043

mitchell fox
Original Author

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Is Existing Placement of my breaker panel a code violation/unsafe

Comments (9)

HU-178658043

mitchell foxOriginal Author

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mike_home

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sktn77a

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mitchell fox
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mitchell fox
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