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| Subject - Panel in laundry room within 6' of sink. | |
| Dragon72169@aol.com | I've found nothing in the code book concerning the distance mandated between a 200A panel and a basin/ sink. Any thoughts, please help. Inspector on my @$$. |
| JimmyDee | Nothing in the NEC is correct. 30" clearence from the sides (article 110.26) and can't be above or close to sump pumps. Can't be installed in a bathroom. Unless there is a local code, he is wrong. There are some specs that are for exposed live parts but that doesn't apply to a service panel. Jim |
| Richard | Dragon .... I myself has installed a 200 amp dissconnect were you had one foot in a janitors mop sink and one foot out of it when you turn it on and it pass ... there is no code that i know of... Butt inspector has jurisdiction over the NEC so if he wants it moved you better...because if you have to deal with that inspector alott, he will nitt-pick your work and red tagg you. On the other hand You could go above him and call a State Inspector and see what he says! Richard |
| JimmyDee | I totally agree with Richard on this subject. In Michigan we have solved this problem of inspector preference. In cases like this, in the past, I have asked the inspector (very nicely) to give me the NEC reference for his decission. It sometimes is better to loose the battle because of the power of some inspectors. I saw the time an inspector didn't like the color of devices and plates because it didn't match the paneling in the room and made the electrician change to a color he wanted. (within a few months, he was fired) Jim |
| David Hyatt | This was Dragons reply to this topic, I moved it to here. The washing machine is 6" from the right side of the panel, the sink is 5' 4" away. He said nothing about the washing machine. You could litteraly put your hand in the flowing water of the washing machine and lick the bus of the panel. I don't understand. ??? It's going to cost about $1,000.00 to move the panel. I need ammo people. Please. |
| David Hyatt | I don't find where this is illegal. AHJ does make the final call. In my area we install panels in laundry rooms alot and some of them have sinks. Ask to be shown code reference for his decision. You can go over his head to his boss but this make make your life harder. Hate to see you are having this problem. You could always have the plumber remover the sink until after final inspection. This is kind of a bad way to do it but it might save money. Good luck let us know what happens. |
| David Hyatt | Jim, I could not find where you can't install a panel in a bathroom. I wouldn't but just curious where? Did find a service disconnect can't be installed in bathroom. Let me know if you have a code ref. Please |
| JimmyDee | quote:I think this is one that the inspector would have a case on. Jim |
| JimmyDee | quote: You are technically correct. However I assumed that the panel he was talking about was the service and would have the built in service disconnect. It is generally accepted that a panel (service or otherwise) is never put in a bathroom. However it does appear that it is not a violation of the NEC if it isn't the service disconnect as well. VI. Service Equipment — Disconnecting Means 230.70 General. Means shall be provided to disconnect all conductors in a building or other structure from the service-entrance conductors. (A) Location. The service disconnecting means shall be installed in accordance with 230.70(A)(1), (2), and (3). (1) Readily Accessible Location. The service disconnecting means shall be installed at a readily accessible location either outside of a building or structure or inside nearest the point of entrance of the service conductors. (2) Bathrooms. Service disconnecting means shall not be installed in bathrooms. |
| Dragon72169@aol.com | It's a Sub-panel. Not the main. |
| Dragon72169@aol.com | Jim, I agree about the 6". That's why I found it hard that he barked about the sink. |
| Dave Nix | Hi Everone, This is a very nice forum and some good discussions! I happened to notice this thread and thought I would offer this code reference for your consideration. If this is a dwelling unit and this is a bathroom; quote: |
| JimmyDee | David. The original question was not about a bathroom but a laundry room. With that said, the posting did change or add a discussion about bathrooms ( Bathroom. An area including a basin with one or more of the following: a toilet, a tub, or a shower.). After looking over the NEC, I see that any disconnecting means can't be located in a bathroom. I think the rational behind this is the presents of water and also steam, moisture from the bathing process. I would imagine the moisture would be harmful to the mechanical equipment that is associated with an electrical panel. The same might be said for the location of a panel too close to a slop sink but I don't think that is addressed in the NEC. Jim |
| Dragon72169@aol.com | Thanks for everyones input, however, turns out that this is a metro amendment to Art. 110.26 (A) No equipment within the scope of art 384 ane motor controls centers, may be installed in any bathroom or within six (6) feet of any sink, basin or lavatory. |
| David Hyatt | Sorry about that go back to removing sink it may be cheaper. |
| iwire | I have been told the reason for the NEC not allowing a panels in dwelling unit bathrooms has nothing to do with sinks, tubs or toilets. It has to do with the moisture generated by the shower, it causes corrosion of the panel and internal parts of the breakers. This would make sense as it is OK to install a panel in commercial bathrooms. |
| frenchelectrician | Iwire,, {bob} now you got me thinking about this one .. few years back i ran into the attached garage i have to end up replace the panel box it oringally have alum buss bar in there and it was so corroied and it did blew few breakers right off the mounting tabs. the box was mounted on wall between the house and garage and i know it was a big no no. there and what i end up is move bunch of wire and move the breaker box to new location where the mositure dont damage it again as you say about the moisture it generated it was the same thing in the attached garage . i learn that the owner did ran the car for few min and the exhaust pipe was not far away from breaker box and do the same effect  merci , marc |
| iwire | Marc I have no proof for what I posted it is just what I have read from the guys that follow the code changes. But I think it makes sense, a properly grounded panel enclosure is not anymore dangerous than a properly grounded light fixture. In both cases you will have 120 volts to ground in dwelling units, the only way to be exposed to 240 is to have the panel wide open. JMO, Bob |