Breaker panel, code for height from floor

Posted by Existential Angst on October 26, 2009, 3:23 pm

>>> Awl --
>>> I know that the NEC code (and NYC code) specifies that a "standard" wall
>>> outlet can't be below X inches above the floor -- 4" (at one time),
>>> iirc.
>>> Is there a similar code for breaker panels? And is there a *maximum*
>>> height above the floor, as well?
>>> Curious as to what the various codes are in various locales, esp. in
>>> NYC/Westchester.
>>> --
>>> EA

>>Never realized there was a minimum height for outlets. I've seen them on
>>the baseboard in relatively new homes, and of course there are floor
>>mounted
>>models, which I assume require the special outlet for protection.

> That may be a NYC code but it certainly isn't a NEC rule.

The NYC electric code between the 70s and the 90s was perhaps the most
oppressive electric code in the country.
But, I just read in a forum today that NYC has adopted the NEC in large part
since about 2001. I don't know whether an outlet height requirement
remains.

Hard to imagine NYC abdicating an oppressive yoke of any kind. :(
--
EA

Posted by DD_BobK on October 26, 2009, 1:50 pm

wrote:

> Awl --
> I know that the NEC code (and NYC code) specifies that a "standard" wall
> outlet can't be below X inches above the floor -- 4" (at one time), iirc.
> Is there a similar code for breaker panels? =A0And is there a *maximum* h=

eight

> above the floor, as well?
> Curious as to what the various codes are in various locales, esp. in
> NYC/Westchester.
> --
> EA

I just happened to ask my own personal NEC code guru this very
question. :)

the answer

no minimum height, max is 6' 6"

with a 30" x 30" x 6' 6" volume clear (no fixed objects) in front the
panel.
Panel doesn;t have to be centered in space; can be high / low or
left / right within access.

But I'd sure hate to work on a panel that was much lower than 24". :(

cheers
Bob

Posted by RicodJour on October 26, 2009, 3:22 pm

> wrote:

> > Awl --
> > I know that the NEC code (and NYC code) specifies that a "standard" wal=

> > outlet can't be below X inches above the floor -- 4" (at one time), iir=

> > Is there a similar code for breaker panels? =A0And is there a *maximum*=

height

> > above the floor, as well?
> > Curious as to what the various codes are in various locales, esp. in
> > NYC/Westchester.
> > --
> > EA

> I just happened to ask my own personal NEC code guru this very
> question. =A0:)
> the answer
> no minimum height, max is 6' 6"
> with a 30" x 30" x 6' 6" volume clear (no fixed objects) in front the
> panel.

Hmmm, the 06 IRC and the 05 NEC seem to be in agreement according to
my stuff, and they're a bit different from what your guru told you.
The maximum height of the breaker is 6' 7" and the minimum height of
the working space is 6' 6" x 30" wide by 36" deep.

R

Posted by DD_BobK on October 26, 2009, 8:36 pm

> > wrote:

> > > Awl --
> > > I know that the NEC code (and NYC code) specifies that a "standard" w=

all

> > > outlet can't be below X inches above the floor -- 4" (at one time), i=

irc.

> > > Is there a similar code for breaker panels? =A0And is there a *maximu=

m* height

> > > above the floor, as well?
> > > Curious as to what the various codes are in various locales, esp. in
> > > NYC/Westchester.
> > > --
> > > EA

> > I just happened to ask my own personal NEC code guru this very
> > question. =A0:)
> > the answer
> > no minimum height, max is 6' 6"
> > with a 30" x 30" x 6' 6" volume clear (no fixed objects) in front the
> > panel.

> Hmmm, the 06 IRC and the 05 NEC seem to be in agreement according to
> my stuff, and they're a bit different from what your guru told you.
> The maximum height of the breaker is 6' 7" and the minimum height of
> the working space is 6' 6" x 30" wide by 36" deep.
> R

Looks like I need a new guru (or one with a better memory).....

Now I know who to ask for answers to my electrical questions. :)

cheers
Bob

Posted by RicodJour on October 27, 2009, 12:50 pm

> > > > I know that the NEC code (and NYC code) specifies that a "standard"=

wall

> > > > outlet can't be below X inches above the floor -- 4" (at one time),=

iirc.

> > > > Is there a similar code for breaker panels? =A0And is there a *maxi=

mum* height

> > > > above the floor, as well?
> > > > Curious as to what the various codes are in various locales, esp. i=

> > > > NYC/Westchester.
> > > I just happened to ask my own personal NEC code guru this very
> > > question. =A0:)
> > > the answer
> > > no minimum height, max is 6' 6"
> > > with a 30" x 30" x 6' 6" volume clear (no fixed objects) in front the
> > > panel.

> > Hmmm, the 06 IRC and the 05 NEC seem to be in agreement according to
> > my stuff, and they're a bit different from what your guru told you.
> > The maximum height of the breaker is 6' 7" and the minimum height of
> > the working space is 6' 6" x 30" wide by 36" deep.

> Looks like I need a new guru (or one with a better memory).....
> Now I know who to ask for answers to my electrical questions. =A0 :)

Errrr, I wouldn't let the guru go just yet. He was close enough for
spit, and I have to look stuff up to verify. I remembered the 6' 6"
working space, but when someone posted the 6' 7" breaker height, that
seemed odd so I had to look it up. I wonder why they wouldn't just
make both requirements the same number? Needless fussing for an
inch. An inch hardly matters...most of the time!

R

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Breaker panel, code for height from floor - Page 2