Garage sink location

[lolaetype]

I'm thinking of adding an 18"X18" stainless steel sink to the detached garage. The spot where I would like to put it is close to the in-wall garage breaker box. Would that be a problem? From what I've read I should have 15" minimum from the edge of the panel to any workspace, etc.

For what it's worth I'm going to have my electrician replace that breaker panel with a covered flush mount breaker box when he adds a 220v circuit for a heater. Is there anything I could do to the breaker panel to mitigate any concerns.

 

[Stuart in MN]

You need to allow a 30" wide working space in front of an electrical panel, but the panel doesn't have to be centered in that 30" space - it could be offset to one side or the other, as long as there's 30 inches. Other than that there's no restriction on where the sink is in relation to the panel.

 

[cvairwerks]

If you have to deal with codes, you might get stuck with having to change all the breakers to GFCI's with it being less than 6 feet from a water source...

 

[lolaetype]

You need to allow a 30" wide working space in front of an electrical panel, but the panel doesn't have to be centered in that 30" space - it could be offset to one side or the other, as long as there's 30 inches.

Thanks, that diagram you provided is much clearer than anything I could readily find.

So I could start the 30" just to the right of the edge of the panel as long as I have nothing to the left of the panel. Does a door jamb and door count as free space? I assume the receptacle at the bottom of the picture should be GFI as should the one behind the refrigerator to the extreme right of the picture.

 

[lolaetype]

If you have to deal with codes, you might get stuck with having to change all the breakers to GFCI's with it being less than 6 feet from a water source...

An inspector will likely never see any of this. Is a permit and inspection needed to change a breaker box if there is no service or amperage upgrade?

 

[cvairwerks]

Depends on your locale...In my case, it would require a permit, especially since it would require pulling the meter to do the work.

 

[lolaetype]

Depends on your locale...In my case, it would require a permit, especially since it would require pulling the meter to do the work.

In this case the detached garage is a sub panel fed by a 50 amp breaker in the main panels in the attached garage. Wouldn't the electrician just be able to flip that breaker to "off" or temporarily disconnect the wires in the main panel that feed the subpanel?

Disclaimer: I'm not really knowledgeable when it comes to breaker boxes (and I'm sure it shows).

 

[cvairwerks]

Yep, he can. In my case the there is only one panel in the house and it has the main breaker as well as all the others. Your electrician should know if he has to pull permits and should know if the breakers would have to be change to GFCI if you put the sink there. If he doesn't know on either item.....

 

[Stuart in MN]

So I could start the 30" just to the right of the edge of the panel as long as I have nothing to the left of the panel. Does a door jamb and door count as free space? I assume the receptacle at the bottom of the picture should be GFI as should the one behind the refrigerator to the extreme right of the picture.

Yes to all three sentences.