Electrical panel placement help

[polexican23]

How would you guys go about either setting this thing flush or building out the wall to make it a cleaner look. It has had me stumped because of the 4 pipes coming in from the bottom.

I have very little electrical experience, but the quotes I have gotten are all over the place from $400-$1000

Please help. I am in the Arlington Heights, IL area if that matters.View media item 43957

 

[kd3pc]

Pics would help.....

usually the panel is mounted flush with the face of the two by wall studs. Then any conduits/pipes are installed, using offsets if needed, or drilling/punching of holes if the knockouts are not where you would like them.

Stock cover is then used and covers the rough edge of the wall material.

Price is quite high for hanging the panel. Should not take more than 2 hours to hang it, assuming some offsets or holes need to be used. Building out the wall can be as simple as cutting trim in to a "picture frame" and attaching that to the wall before installing the cover.

Best of luck.

 

[polexican23]

pic should be there. It shows on my thread.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=3224&pictureid=43957

 

[kd3pc]

still no pics displayed in either location...?

 

[Charles (in GA)]

How would you guys go about either setting this thing flush or building out the wall to make it a cleaner look. It has had me stumped because of the 4 pipes coming in from the bottom.

I have very little electrical experience, but the quotes I have gotten are all over the place from $400-$1000

Please help. I am in the Arlington Heights, IL area if that matters.View media item 43957

Go to your first post, click "edit" at the bottom right, then click "go advanced" at the bottom right, then scroll down to the box titled "additional options" and the middle box inside of this is "attach files", click the "manage attachments" button and you get a box that pops up and click on the top most "chose file" and then locate it on your computer and after selecting it, click the "upload" button. Make sure it is a small enough file, otherwise the system will reject it. Most cameras give you the option to select different sizes or resolutions.

Charles

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Any pics?

 

[polexican23]

 

[sands35]

You will need to cover the kraft face with something. If you can, I'd suggest putting up a plywood sheet under the panel or something like that. If the wall is shared with a house, you'll need a code compliant wall covering. 5/8 Type X sheet rock for example.

Plywood would be better than some rough looking lumber.

 

[kd3pc]

were it me, I would build a chase, floor to ceiling (thinking future adds, here) and over to the corner. The pic is great, I had thought you were doing new construction.

The chase could then be drywalled or OSB and the flush mount cover you have will do just fine. And not have to rewire anything.

As with most projects, the original owner/electrician did what was easiest at the time. Very normal in garage construction and using EMT/Conduit.

 

[Mustang51js]

I would build a small closet with sliding doors, even if it's 8 inches deep as long as the door doesn't block the panel when moved your good

 

[polexican23]

i tried the attachment thing. to show the junction box above the panel too.

 

[polexican23]

My plan was to put upper cabinets over the panel area. So that will not work for the closet idea.
Yes the panel is shared with the house.
And Crook County EMT is required in all homes.

 

[Eriehunter]

My plan was to put upper cabinets over the panel area. So that will not work for the closet idea.
Yes the panel is shared with the house.
And Crook County EMT is required in all homes.

Upper cabinets over the top of the panel would be a workspace code violation.

 

[polexican23]

Sorry, I meant over as in above the panel.

 

[Mustang51js]

Sorry, I meant over as in above the panel.

Still would be a violation but if you not getting it inspected then I wouldn't worry about it if it doesn't block access to the panel. How about making a hinged panel to cover everything

 

[alfredeneuman]

Still would be a violation but if you not getting it inspected then I wouldn't worry about it if it doesn't block access to the panel.

In my opinion it doesn't matter whether it is being inspected or not.
Ignoring Codes (especially when you know better) is bad practice, and especially bad advice to give to beginners.


Most people with questions come here to get good advice.

 

[polexican23]

What would be the reason for a violation to have a husky/craftsman style cabinet hanging about the panel?

The issue with putting up a chase is the dang 4 EMT runs along the ground. They ruin just about any change of that.

 

[kd3pc]

What would be the reason for a violation to have a husky/craftsman style cabinet hanging about the panel?

The issue with putting up a chase is the dang 4 EMT runs along the ground. They ruin just about any change of that.

it covers the box above...that box needs to be accessible

the emt along the floor, is why I suggested a chase/closet. You can drill/screw/shoot a stud in to the floor and frame a shallow chase/closet around it, and then finish it like you would the walls.

best of luck in what ever you decide.

 

[alfredeneuman]

What would be the reason for a violation to have a husky/craftsman style cabinet hanging about the panel?

It would violate the workspace rules.
In addition to the 36" x 30" horizontal space required, a vertical space extending from the floor to 6' above the panel or the ceiling, whichever is lower, is required.

(a) Dedicated Electrical Space. The space equal to the
width and depth of the equipment and extending from the
floor to a height of 1.8 m (6 ft) above the equipment or to
the structural ceiling, whichever is lower, shall be dedicated
to the electrical installation. No piping, ducts, leak protection
apparatus, or other equipment foreign to the electrical
installation shall be located in this zone.

 

[James-W]

This may be a local code, not sure about that, but I had to have an electrical outlet underneath the panel and I had to have a light above the panel on a switch. Also, I can't have anything within 3 feet of the panel that would block access to the panel in any way.