We are planning a remodel and I have a question about the location of the breaker panel. The remodel plans would leave the panel where it is, in laundry room. I am aware that the breaker panel will need a certain amount of workspace and it will have that. The concern is that, according to our planned layout, the only access to the laundry room would be to walk through the master closet, and through a door at the back of the closet which opens into the laundry room. Currently, the only way to access the laundry room is to go outside onto our carport and go through the door. We are planning to turn the carport into a Master Bedroom, Bath, and Walk-Through closet. Does this break any codes? Thanks in advance!
Electrical – Is it acceptable that the only access to a service panel is through a master bedroom closet
electricalelectrical-panelremodeling
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National Electric Code calls for protection of the cable or raceway (conduit).
National Electric Code (NEC)
300.4 Protection Against Physical Damage. Where subject to physical damage, conductors shall be protected.
(A) Cables and Raceways Through Wood Members.
(1) Bored Holes. In both exposed and concealed locations, where a cable or raceway type wiring method is installed through bored holes in joists, rafters, or wood members, holes shall be bored so that the edge of the hole is not less than 32 mm (11⁄4 in.) from the nearest edge of the wood member. Where this distance cannot be maintained, the cable or raceway shall be protected from penetration by screws or nails by a steel plate(s) or bushing(s), at least 1.6 mm (1⁄16 in.) thick, and of appropriate length and width installed to cover the area of the wiring.
Exception No. 1: Steel plates shall not be required to protect rigid metal conduit, intermediate metal conduit, rigid nonmetallic conduit, or electrical metallic tubing.
(2) Notches in Wood. Where there is no objection because of weakening the building structure, in both exposed and concealed locations, cables or raceways shall be permitted to be laid in notches in wood studs, joists, rafters, or other wood members where the cable or raceway at those points is protected against nails or screws by a steel plate at least 1.6 mm (1⁄16 in.) thick, and of appropriate length and width, installed to cover the area of the wiring. The steel plate shall be installed before the building finish is applied.
Exception No. 1: Steel plates shall not be required to protect rigid metal conduit, intermediate metal conduit, rigid nonmetallic conduit, or electrical metallic tubing.
Building codes dictate how large the holes and notches can be.
International Residential Code (IRC)
Any stud may be bored or drilled, provided that diameter of the resulting hole is no more than 60% of the stud width and the edge of the hole is no more than 5/8” to the edge of the stud, and the hole is not located in the same area as a cut or notch. Studs located in exterior walls or bearing partitions drilled over 40% and up to 60% shall also be doubled with no more than 2 successive doubled studs bored.
Which means for bearing walls with 2x4 studs, the maximum hole diameter is 1 3/8" and maximum notch depth is 7/8". For a non-bearing wall with 2x4 studs, the maximum hole diameter is 2 1/8" and maximum notch depth is 1 3/8". For bearing walls with 2x6 studs, the maximum hole diameter is 2 3/16" maximum notch depth is 1 3/8". For non-bearing walls with 2x6 studs, the maximum hole diameter is 3 5/16" maximum notch depth is 2 3/16".
Check local codes for amendments before proceeding. It might also be a good idea to consult with an engineer, to insure structural integrity is maintained.
National Electrical Code (NEC) typically defines rooms and areas based on the "intended" use of the area. They do not provide a definition for a "storage room", but they do provide a definition for a "clothes closet".
Clothes Closet. A non-habitable room or space intended primarily for storage of garments and apparel.
To answer the rest of your question, we'll have to take a look at Article 110. Since section 110.26 of the NEC is a bit long, quoting the entire text here may not be considered "fair use" so instead I'll summarize it for you.
National Electrical Code 2008
ARTICLE 110 Requirements for Electrical Installations
II. 600 Volts, Nominal, or Less
110.26 Spaces About Electrical Equipment. Sufficient access and working space shall be provided and maintained about all electrical equipment to permit ready and safe operation and maintenance of such equipment.
110.26(A)(1) Depth of Working Space.
This section says the depth of Working Space must be between 3 and 4 feet, "measured from the exposed live parts or from the enclosure or opening if the live parts are enclosed". In a typical residential situation, the depth of Working Space will be 3'.
110.26(A)(2) Width of Working Space.
This section says the width of Working Space must be the width of the equipment or 30", whichever is greater. And that there should be enough Working Space to allow the equipment door to open 90 degrees.
110.26(A)(3) Height of Working Space.
The Working Space must be clear from "the grade, floor, or platform" to the height of 6 1/2', or the height of the equipment whichever is greater. There is an exception to this which says:
In existing dwelling units, service equipment or panelboards that do not exceed 200 amperes shall be permitted in spaces where the headroom is less than 2.0 m (61⁄2 ft).
This section also says that any other equipment associated with the electrical installation"located above or below the equipment, cannot extend more than 6" beyond the front of the equipment.
110.26(B) Clear Spaces. Working space required by this section shall not be used for storage. When normally enclosed live parts are exposed for inspection or servicing, the working space, if in a passageway or general open space, shall be suitably guarded.
Which means the equipment can be in an area used for storage, but the Working Space cannot be used for storage. The basic idea is if you draw a box on the floor in front of the equipment 30" wide and 36" deep, and then extend that box up 6 1/2', you'll have your "Working Space". As long as you keep this Working Space clear, you should have no problems. However, there are a few more things to consider.
110.26(C) Entrance to and Egress from Working Space.
110.26(C)(1) Minimum Required. At least one entrance of sufficient area shall be provided to give access to and egress from working space about electrical equipment.
You'll have to check local building codes to determine what the "sufficient area" is, and then make sure you keep this area clear too.
Another important consideration is lighting.
110.26(D) Illumination.
This is a section that is often overlooked in residential situations, and is often satisfied simply by having lights in the room where the service panel is installed. Personally, I take this section seriously. I recommend installing a dedicated circuit, consisting of a single switch and a single luminaire. Then installing it just above the equipment, as to provide adequate light for anybody working on the equipment. Putting the luminaire on a dedicated circuit allows you to deenergize other circuits, while maintaining good lighting while servicing the equipment.
It's a good idea (though a bit overkill), to also provide emergency lighting near the equipment. Installing a simple fixture like this near the equipment, ensures that you won't have to fumble in the dark to flip breakers if the power ever goes out.
This unit can be installed on the same dedicated equipment luminaire circuit. That way even if you have to switch off the whole panel to do work, you'll still have light.
tl;dr
- Keep an area 30" wide, 36" deep, and 6 1/2' high in front of the equipment clear (Working Space).
- Provide "sufficient area" for entrance to and egress from the equipment (see local building codes to determine "sufficient area").
- Make sure the area has enough lighting.
- Rooms are defined by intended use.
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Best Answer
As long at the panel is not in a bathroom, clothes closet or on a stairway the panel would be ok with the required working space 30" width or width of the panel if wider than 30" and headroom it would be legal if accessible. I realised I did not specifically answer your question. Yes your service panel can be in a room that is accessible and yours is accessible (and not in a prohibited area).