Panel Replacement Questions

[cr0ntab]

Hey All,

I have an electrical panel in the garage that was installed by my solar contractor.

The panel has single conduit connected to a hub where all the romex enters from a chase.

I want to replace this panel with a larger one.

I want to know if I have to frame out a section above my new surface mount panel to keep the romex concealed, or if I can run the romex exposed and just fire caulk the openings in the chase.

This is a picture showing where I would frame out a box above the panel to conceal the romex.

https ://photos.app.goo.gl/hKSHJSULcaDdMPQLA

Here is an example of how I would just run the romex right out of the chase (blue lines) and then fire caulk the openings (red circles)

https ://photos.app.goo.gl/nxdVgfPG9qHCdxAB6


Lastly, here is a link to the whole album with more pictures to grease the imagination gears:

https ://photos.app.goo.gl/t723gepNzajNJJkH9

P.S. My account is still too young to post links and attach pictures so I had to add a space in the url after the "https"

 

[75gmck25]

If you installed two vertical pieces of wood, even with the sides of the panel, and then put a cover on the front so that there was no wire exposed between the panel and the existing chase, then I believe it would comply with the requirement for physical protection. It would also be easy to work on if you could just pop that cover off to get access to the top of the panel.

Installing garage wiring in conduit is for physical protection of the wire, and think it no longer needs physical protection if it is above a certain height (6 1/2 or 7 feet?). Maybe someone else knows the exact requirement.

bruce

 

[cr0ntab]

Hey Bruce,

That was my thinking as well.

Probably the easiest solution.

I'm going to try it without the cover if the inspector balks then I'll get it covered as described.