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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Marietta, Georgia
    Posts
    93

    Default New panel board installation

    Question. Anyone have a code reference (2011 NEC) that states when a new panel board is installed, spaces must remain available for future expansion? I seem to recall hearing or reading that somewhere. I attempted last night, in vain I might add, to find anything to that nature in the 2011 NEC (as is often the case with that book).

    Reason for asking. Inspected a home yesterday that had a new panel installed due to the previous one that was over capacity. Along with about a dozen other concerns with this installation, I noticed that if everything were to be corrected, the brand new panel would be maxed out, no room to install one more breaker.

    Seems illogical to go to the trouble to install a brand new panel but not leave any room for expansion. I called it out but if pressed to prove the validity of my claim (other than opinion)....I might have a problem.

    Inspection Referral

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Orlando, FL
    Posts
    1,593

    Default Re: New panel board installation

    Nothing in the NEC that requires empty/open breaker slots. A "full" panel (within the panel's rated capacity) is allowed.

    Dom.


  3. #3
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    Southern Vancouver Island
    Posts
    4,607

    Default Re: New panel board installation

    It is good info. Nothing wrong with pointing it out which I do as well.

    John Kogel, RHI, BC HI Lic #47455
    www.allsafehome.ca

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    Florida
    Posts
    553

    Default Re: New panel board installation

    Quote Originally Posted by Michael Bronner View Post
    Question. Anyone have a code reference (2011 NEC) that states when a new panel board is installed, spaces must remain available for future expansion?......
    I had the same question a few weeks back---got the same answer. I also thought that I saw somewhere that a percentage of spare space should be provided. I'm looking at a new installation that will, after the primary surge protector is installed, have one spare. Sucks.


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