Replies

1. 
   DanH | Sep 30, 2007 02:50pm | #1

   Unlike regular junction boxes which must be "accessible", breaker panels must be "readily accessible". This is subject to inspector interpretation to a degree, but generally this is taken to mean that stuff can't be stored in front of the panel, either in a cabinet in front of it, or piled on the floor around it, or whatever. The inspector may even object to having the panel in a closet if the closet is arranged such that stuff is likely to be packed into it making the panel hard to reach.

   It is legit to place the panel behind cabinet doors or whatever, but basically only to disguise it -- the cabinet should only be maybe 6" deep so nothing (much) can be stored there.

   If your view never changes you're following the wrong leader
2. 
   BillHartmann | Sep 30, 2007 04:29pm | #2

   A panel needs a CLEAR AREA 30" wide, with the panel any place (left to right) in that space. And clear from floor to ?? (I thik 6-6, but not sure). And also 36" infront of it.

   The excludes anykind of kitchen cabinets.

   However, being a sub-panel and not the main the local inspector MIGHT allow SOME variation. But it would have to be very, very impractical to put it anyplace else. And even then they would most likely not allow somethig with a base cabinet below it that some one would have to work around.

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   A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
1. 
   2leftfeet | Sep 30, 2007 06:54pm | #3

   I was afraid of that. The panel is in place and not moving. ($$$ to move it)Guess I will be hacking up the old cabs a bit to leave room for the panel.What a drag.

3. 
   Danno | Sep 30, 2007 08:19pm | #4

   I know that just before I sold my house that was located on the other side of the state, the Realtor called me up and said I had to remove the cabinet that the breaker box was in or they couldn't go ahead with the closing (scheduled for Monday and he told me on Friday). I drove three hours over there and removed the cabinet. First thing Saturday morning, the utility company came and shut off the power they were supposed to shut off Saturday afternoon, so I was glad I had gone ahead and used my power tools while there was still power. (This was back before I had any battery powered tools.)

4. 
   renosteinke | Sep 30, 2007 10:35pm | #5

   As others have mentioned, you cannot have the panel inside a cabinet. You also need open working space in front of, under, and around, the panel.

   It IS allowed to place the panel where it will be, say, concealed by an open door. You can also put it under a picture, or behind drapes. You can even camouflage it with a fancy paint job. Yet, I argue against doing so.

   Why? Because if you hide it ... you'll not be able to find it when you need it.

   Maybe, in your case, the panel can be 'turned around' so that the panel cover is in the hall, or the next room?

   The main problem I have with 'hiding' the panel is that I disagree with the attitude that the 'ugly, useless' panel needs to be out of sight at all costs. In contrast, I see the panel as an essential item that I want to have ready access to. You hardly ever need to get to the panel ... but when you do, you are usually in the dark, and in a hurry.

1. 
   2leftfeet | Oct 01, 2007 12:05am | #6

   I agree about needing to get to the panel, in my case it was more wanting to hang all 6 linear feet of wall cabs that we took out of the kitchen. (reuse recycle and all that).The utility room is not that big, and we are just trying to squeeze in some more storage. Looks like I can only use 2 of the wall cabs :(Thanks