Software
Houzz Logo Print
mitchellfox

Is Existing Placement of my breaker panel a code violation/unsafe

5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago

My breaker panel is located in basement laundry area, mounted on plaster (I guess ) wall, mounted directly to wall and close above laundry tub. This is how it’s been since we bought the house about 15 years ago. See picture. We are evaluating a whole house generator and have had several electricians Come out to discuss generator and connection. We had 3 give estimates and none of them said anything bad about panel or existing wiring. Now we had a fourth electricIan come out from a large reputable company to discuss generator andhesaid his company wouldn’t do the generator project unless they moved the breaker panel and did some rewiring. He says it is against code to have panel mounted directly to wall because water from outside wall could leak into box. Also that it should be mounted close to sink as it is. We have had several electricians doing unrelated things which necessitated them doing things in breaker box and none of them said anything about code and the box. None of the other 3 electricians for generator said anything about box. And nothing about it was said in our home inspection 15 years ago. Is this out of code, and as is not fixing this dangerous for us.

thanks


Comments (9)

  • 5 years ago

    The outside wall restriction is a new one on me. The sink, though does violate the 'unobstructed access to the breaker panel' rule. However, unless the breaker panel is modified in conjunction with the transfer switch installation, most inspectors wouldn't give the installer a hard time about it.

    YMMV

  • 5 years ago

    Thanks. The breaker panel would be modified.

  • 5 years ago

    Will the electrician who will do the work apply for an electrical permit? If so then someone needs to talk to the code official about what is required. Codes change over time. You can't rely on what an electrician says. The code official has the final say whether the installation is code compliant.

  • 5 years ago

    Thanks. I think they talked about permit. Not sure. The biggest question for us now I think is regardless of whether we do generator or not, do we need to move breaker box if not for our safety sake. And this electrician also pointed out some corrosion and a little water in outside box that is connected to meter

  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    I have 2 houses (decent quality builds), both have breaker boxes on outside walls - 1 x 200amp in one and 2 x 200 amp in the other and above ground. I don't know about mounting in a basement area though. Regardsless, you may want to move the laundry sink (much easier than moving all the wiring). It may not be against any code but it doesn't sound safe to me.

    And DEFINITELY get a permit and inspection fr this work.

  • 5 years ago

    Thanks

  • 5 years ago

    The panel location does violate current code. There is supposed to be a 30" wide and 36" deep unobstructed space in front of the panel. Just picture yourself sliding an empty refrigerator box up in front of the panel - in your case the sink would definitely be in the way.
    https://cdnassets.hw.net/dims4/GG/d2a64dc/2147483647/resize/300x%3E/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdnassets.hw.net%2F8f%2Fdc%2F19e726504d8fbc59045cf5a2d281%2Ftmp5-2etmp-tcm96-1045565.jpg

    Electricians usually put a sheet of plywood on the wall and then screw the panel to the plywood, but this is more for convenience than it is for any code requirement I'm aware of. The plywood gives them somewhere to screw down the panel, hammer in wire staples, etc.

    Bruce

  • 5 years ago

    Our home, built in 1970 has the breaker panel directly above the gas water heater. I wanted to put in a whole house generator, but DH said the cost to move the electrical box would be too expensive. We have a portable generator and he says as long as he’s around it will do.

  • 5 years ago

    I believe you can meet the clearance rule if you move or replace the sink so that the right hand edge is 30 inches from the door. That will also allow the door to swing open without hitting the sink. I don't think there is a rule about the minimum distance from a faucet to a circuit panel. Someone who knows the electrical code can correct me if that is not the case.

    What is a problem is the old wiring. I see a mixture of BX and Romex cable. The Romex cable may not be allowed in your municipality. The code official will make a determination if the current panel and wiring meets the latest municipal code..