Thread: Location of service panel

Ran into a service panel installed in a hall closet used as laundry room.

1. I'm going to call out the lack of clearance to the panel.
2. I found stating that panels are not allowed in Clothes closets or bathrooms
"E3305.4 Location of working spaces and equipment.
Required working space shall not be designated for storage.
Panelboards and overcurrent protection devices shall not be
located in clothes closets or bathrooms."
However... no mention is made of "laundry rooms" or proximity to water sources. As you can see in the picture, the clothes washer is directly under the panel.
Any references to sources of water or moisture you can give me?
3. Splices within the panel. As you can see, there is one breaker with 2 conductors which I will call out, however a single conductor comes off of a breaker and is then spliced into 2 conductors. is this allowed?

This is a Service entrance panel and the ground bar is bonded to the neutral bar. I have a problem with the double lugging and the lack of permanent color marking of white cable used as conductors.

Any other input will be greatly appreciated.

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Originally Posted by Victor DaGraca

... the clothes washer is directly under the panel.

Which is not allowed.

What was on the other side of the wall the panel is in? Most times, the easiest correction for this is to flip the panel around and have it face out the other side of the wall.

Doing so would also mean that everything else you found wrong would need to be removed anyway (all wires have to be pulled out of the panel in order to flip it around), then ... then it is the responsibility of THAT electrician to make sure it all goes back in correctly.

Jerry,

Guess this one wouldn't work out either? It blended in so well with the wall too.

rick

Rick,

Yeah ... , that and those bottom breakers are 'on' in the down position too.

Victor,

Neutrals and grounds should not be under the same lugs on the neutral/ ground bars. Should be separated out.

Rich

Thanks guys:
It's always better to be 100% sure rather than 99%

One other ?

I can' t find code that would require an electrical disconnect at or near an electrical water heater.

Is one required?

Sorry guys, I'm tired and I made a mistake.
That is not the washer under the panel, thats the dryer.
However, the washer is still close (see attachment)

Jerry; Your solution is elegant.
The other side of the wall is a master bedroom, and should they so choose all problems would be solved.

The wife mentioned getting a stacking laundry unit, which would place it further from the panel.

I'm still not comfortable with water in close proximity, and lack of clearances.

Thanks Richard;
Thought so..........

Originally Posted by Victor DaGraca

I can' t find code that would require an electrical disconnect at or near an electrical water heater.

From the 2008 NEC. (underlining is mine)
- 422.31 Disconnection of Permanently Connected Appliances.
- - (B) Appliances Rated over 300 Volt-Amperes or Horsepower. For permanently connected appliances rated over 300 volt-amperes or hp, the branch-circuit switch or circuit breaker shall be permitted to serve as the disconnecting means where the switch or circuit breaker is within sight from the appliance or is capable of being locked in the open position. The provision for locking or adding a lock to the disconnecting means shall be installed on or at the switch or circuit breaker used as the disconnecting means and shall remain in place with or without the lock installed.

Originally Posted by Victor DaGraca

Jerry; Your solution is elegant.
The other side of the wall is a master bedroom, and should they so choose all problems would be solved.

Victor,

I've had that done many times to solve that very same problem shown in your photo - in addition, it gives the new electrician a chance to 'show his stuff' and 'do it all right', and, if it is not done right - - - there is but ONE person to blame.