Speedy Petey
Well-known member
Once again, internet.
It's NOT easily accessible. Period.
It's been explained to you several times. I think we're at the point where you'll only be satisfied when you hear what you want to hear.
I'm done.
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Electrical code question
- Thread starter sickboi55
- Start date
It's been explained to you several times. I think we're at the point where you'll only be satisfied when you hear what you want to hear.
I'm done.
wyliesdiesels
Well-known member
Wylie, I am unsure if your response was sarcastic or joking. If sarcastic, while you have provided a great deal of information to this thread, please refrain from posting. I understand that my box is not in compliance. I understand that the measurements for working space as outlined by the NEC are not met. What I don't understand is how the location is dangerous. If I don't store any items in the cabinet, the location in regards to fire is the same as moving it to the living room. If it were moved it would still have live wires near the backside of the cabinetry. Again, I see WHAT the NEC says, I just do not understand WHY. This is not to say I don't plan to fix it.
I was NOT joking or being sarcastic at all. I dont joke around when it comes to electricity...Its my living and safety is very important especially when I work on 480v stuff....And I will answer your 'why' question below...
A) Wylie can post any time and anywhere on the site, sarcastic or not. It's not your place to tell him not to.
Heck, sarcasm is the backbone of the interwebs.
B) It is quite unsafe to anyone working on it more than anything. Another thing is, if the door is left open and a fire occurred what's in the cabinet could very well be considered "easily ignitable material", which is not allowed to be stored near a panel.
SICKBOI55- The quote above in bold is what i was getting at. Have u ever had to work on an electrical panel in a closet? Its a real BI*CH. Speedy Petey's point about fire and the cabinet being flameable is my other point...I have seen first hand panels that got so hot that they could have easily burned any flammable material around them...
So please fix it right!! We are here to help u!
My thoughts, new meter can and service riser, new 40 space 200 amp panel inside the garage directly behind the new meter.
I would open the wall up 4' wide or so from floor to ceiling to make mounting the panel easy and to make it easy to run new wire to the attic.
Pull all the circuits that go up into the attic at the existing panel up into the attic and into junction boxes, run new wire back to new panel in garage.
If my count is right I see 16 single pole circuits and 3 two pole so a bit of wire to run but not that bad.
If you have circuits that go down or sideways in the wall it will add some challenge to the job, a junction box low on the wall(plug height) in the living room would be much better then having an entire panel to hide.
Doing it this way would also get you plenty of power in the garage which I think was the original plan.
I would open the wall up 4' wide or so from floor to ceiling to make mounting the panel easy and to make it easy to run new wire to the attic.
Pull all the circuits that go up into the attic at the existing panel up into the attic and into junction boxes, run new wire back to new panel in garage.
If my count is right I see 16 single pole circuits and 3 two pole so a bit of wire to run but not that bad.
If you have circuits that go down or sideways in the wall it will add some challenge to the job, a junction box low on the wall(plug height) in the living room would be much better then having an entire panel to hide.
Doing it this way would also get you plenty of power in the garage which I think was the original plan.
I appreciate your patience wylie. I am an electrician on aircraft so i know the dangers of confined maintenance. I am not looking to hear what I want. I was just trying to understand something I wasnt clear on. I know the panel has to be moved. The working space makes that very clear. It was the ignitable material statements I was confused about. And the "easily accessible ". Accessible for what? Maintenance? No it could be a hazard to work in a confined space. Accessible to throw a breaker in an emergency? Its pretty damn accessible
Last edited:
Charles (in GA)
Well-known member
My thoughts, new meter can and service riser, new 40 space 200 amp panel inside the garage directly behind the new meter.
I would open the wall up 4' wide or so from floor to ceiling to make mounting the panel easy and to make it easy to run new wire to the attic.
Pull all the circuits that go up into the attic at the existing panel up into the attic and into junction boxes, run new wire back to new panel in garage.
If my count is right I see 16 single pole circuits and 3 two pole so a bit of wire to run but not that bad.
If you have circuits that go down or sideways in the wall it will add some challenge to the job, a junction box low on the wall(plug height) in the living room would be much better then having an entire panel to hide.
Doing it this way would also get you plenty of power in the garage which I think was the original plan.
This actually is a very good option. A bunch of 4x4 boxes and covers, mostly mounted in a row somewhere in the attic, in a place where you disconnect a wire from the old panel, pull it up in the attic and throw it over to the 4x4 box. Make a splice in the box and continue with new 12-2 NM to the new panel. Do the next one, and the next, and there will be a few odd ones that require different placement of the splice box.
I dont think the weather head and the phone and cable wires are separated far enough to meet current code, so you simply move down the wall and put in the new one. If well planned, the change over would be a fairly painless affair.
The OP can easily find a 90 amp or 100 amp breaker for the panel he has, its what is now a Murray, owned by Siemens and shares components with Siemens. Siemens breakers are approved for use in Murray panels.
Charles (in GA)
Well-known member
The 2011 code defines the following terms:
Accessible (as applied to equipment). Admitting close approach; not guarded by locked doors, elevation, or other effective means.
Accessible (as applied to wiring methods). Capable of being removed or exposed without damaging the building structure or finish or not permanently closed in by the structure or finish of the building.
Accessible, Readily (Readily Accessible). Capable of being reached quickly for operation, renewal, or inspections without requiring those to whom ready access is requisite to climb over or remove obstacles or to resort to portable ladders, and so forth.