Light over electrical panel??

[dman535]

I had the inspector out to review my trench work (it passed) and while he was here I had him check the rough in on the panel. He had no problems with it but mentioned I needed a light over the panel. Any suggestions on what type of fixture to put over the panel? Has anyone else heard of this regulation?

 

[stokessd]

Man, the word has gotten soft these days. A light?! How about some heat and an espresso maker too?. Maybe that three feet of clearance in front of the panel is for a lazy boy...

Back in my day, you stumbled down a half rotten set of basement stairs in the dark to the dampest recess of the basement to unscrew a glass fuse and screw in a new one (if you had one), if you were lucky you didn't smack your head on one of the many beams and ducts lurking there.

Now get off my lawn...


Seriously, I've never heard of that, but when I moved to new hampshire I noticed that all the electrical boxes have a dedicated 15 amp outlet attached to them within a couple inches. This is the seventh state I've lived in, and my first in New England, and I'd never seen that before.

Sheldon

 

[Alchymist]

Required here, light over panel and outlet by panel. Typically just a round or octagon box with a porcelain pull switch type lamp base. GFCI required on outlet if in basement. Pretty common in many places.

 

[Speedy Petey]

It's NOT code to have a light over the panel or a receptacle at the panel. Not unless you have some written amendment or local requirement.
There are rules that you must have adequate lighting and a receptacle somewhere in the vicinity, but not what is being said.

Alchymist, you are in PA. I'd all but bet this is not actually required in your area.

 

[dman535]

I knew about the GFI outlet, but the light was a surprise to me. I will probably do something a little better than a porcelain base fixture - but nothing extravagant.

 

[Oldmaple]

My house was just rewired and no light over the panel, just in the room. There is a receptacle attached to the box though.

 

[dman535]

http://www.lowes.com/pd_156459-4350..._?productId=1215319&Ns=p_product_price|0&pl=1

 

[BMack37]

I'd probably put one of these there:

...and I'd either be a genius or the guy would yell at me.

 

[Stuart in MN]

It's not a bad idea to have a light over the panel, but without knowing where you are located it's hard to say if it's required or not.

 

[Showkey]

I thought these were a little hokey until I saw them in real life:

http://www.mrbeams.com/products/spo...abright-wireless-motion-sensor-spotlight.html

I put one in a stairway going from the garage to the basement. Going up,the sales there no switch for the garage light, plus I you have your hands full the switch is still problem.

http://static.mrbeams.com/media/cat...139433887a97daa66f/3/9/390-close-forweb_1.jpg

 

[Alchymist]

It's NOT code to have a light over the panel or a receptacle at the panel. Not unless you have some written amendment or local requirement.
There are rules that you must have adequate lighting and a receptacle somewhere in the vicinity, but not what is being said.

Alchymist, you are in PA. I'd all but bet this is not actually required in your area.

"Required" is a relative term, and it's all in the eyes of the local inspector.

 

[DTE]

This is a photo of how I done mine. I am using the breakers for the switches and I installed a lighted switch at the door that operates the bulb in a ceramic holder above the panel. I also installed a GFI plug at the panel. I do not know if either were required but was told that is what they will want to see when they do an inspection and it passed with no issues.

 

[General Geoff]

If there is no lighting anywhere nearby the panel, it's not a bad idea to put one in, required or not.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Required here, light over panel and outlet by panel. Typically just a round or octagon box with a porcelain pull switch type lamp base.

Bare bulbs are not allowed around here unless they are attached to at least a 7' ceiling.

 

[nadogail]

If the inspector said it is a requirement, and it won't be a real problem to install, just do it.

It has been my experience an inspector who feels you have offended him can really find more problems on any job.

Light and receptacle are really good things in any electrical panel room.

 

[CJ7VFR]

Now get off my lawn...

You forgot to put "you damn kids" at the end of that!!!!

Jim

 

[wyliesdiesels]

If the inspector said it is a requirement, and it won't be a real problem to install, just do it.

It has been my experience an inspector who feels you have offended him can really find more problems on any job.

Light and receptacle are really good things in any electrical panel room.

An inspector cant make u do something that isnt code....no matter how offended he feels...

 

[sberry]

I believe there is mention of work light but cant recall where or the exact language.

 

[bczygan]

An inspector cant make u do something that isnt code....no matter how offended he feels...

But then he CAN become a stickler for everything else.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Then make sure everything is to code and u got nothing to worry bout!

 

[alfredeneuman]

Here's the actual wording of that in the 2011NEC:

Article 110.26

(D) Illumination. Illumination shall be provided for all working spaces about service equipment, switchboards, panelboards, or motor control centers installed indoors and shall not be controlled by automatic means only. Additional lighting outlets shall not be required where the work space is illuminated by an adjacent light source or as permitted by 210.70(A)(1), Exception No. 1, for switched receptacles.

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

I always try and make sure to install an outlet anyplace somebody might be working on something like a service panel/furnace area and around ac condenser units.
That reminds me is anybody else using the outdoor ac disconnects with the 20a recept built into them? You still have to feed it from a separate circuit,but theyre a lot cleaner looking install.
As far as lighting goes I try and atleast have one in the general area for a panel and furnace/water heater,more of a common courtesy among the trades for me.
Not to mention I may be the poor ******* that has to work on something in thje future.

 

[Speedy Petey]

"Required" is a relative term, and it's all in the eyes of the local inspector.

It's so NOT.
As Wylie said, an inspector cannot make you do something that isn't code.

For instance, if there is a light nearby in the room, and he says it must be over the panel, as him where that is written so you can look it up for yourself.

If he is a power mad inspector that will hassle you on other things for no good reason report him to his superiors.

 

[Speedy Petey]

I always try and make sure to install an outlet anyplace somebody might be working on something like a service panel/furnace area and around ac condenser units.

Thing is, that IS already a code requirement. There is just some flexibility as to location.

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

An inspector cant make u do something that isnt code....no matter how offended he feels...

Depending on the inspector sometimes its best to humor them if theyre decent on most days,Now if the inspector is just a natural born ***** screw em!