Can an electrical panel be in a hallway?

Electric Panels Must Be Accessible

It also means that it cannot be in an area too small to walk into and access. When planning your electrical panel installation, be sure to plan for accessible areas such as a garage, basement, or hallway.

Can you put a breaker panel in a hallway?

Electrical Panel Placement Restrictions

The National Electrical Code 110.26 states that breaker boxes, and electrical equipment in general, must be placed in areas that provide sufficient working clearance around them. More specifically, the breaker box needs 3 feet of clearance in front of it.

Can an electrical panel be on an interior wall?

For example, California's state building code requires a minimum clearance of 30 inches horizontally in front of an electrical panel. This means you cannot place an electrical panel close to a corner if another wall, fixture or piece of furniture is within 30 inches of it.

Where is a breaker panel permitted to be located?

In summary, electrical panels can be located anywhere other than in bathrooms, clothes closets, above steps of a stairway or in fire-rated partitions or area separation walls as long as the proper working clearances are provided per NEC 110.26, and the enclosure type is suitable for the application (i.e. NEMA 3R if ...

What is the most common location for electrical panels in a house?

The main service panel is typically located in the basement, or (in a house without a basement) in a utility room. Some homes will also have a sub-panel, which is a smaller version of the main panel, to control electrical circuits in a garage, a workshop, or other outbuilding.

Main electrical panel explained - Load center - service panel

Where can an electrical panel not be placed?

Can a breaker box be inside?

Circuit breaker boxes may not be installed in bathrooms, powder rooms, clothes closets or in any room where there is insufficient space for a worker to access and work on the box. The space immediately in front of the box must be clear, and the box must be accessible.

Can an electrical panel be in a walk in closet?

ANSWER: According to Section 240-24(d) of the National Electrical Code (NEC), which says “Overcurrent devices shall not be located in the vicinity of easily ignitable material, such as in clothes closets,” you are not permitted to do this.

What is code for an electrical panel?

Breaker panel must be at least 4 feet off the ground, but no higher than 6 feet. The panel door must be able to open at least 90 degrees. Working space around the breaker panel must be at least 30 inches wide and 72 inches from the ground up.

Where is panel board usually located?

Panelboards are thus often installed in garages or basements in single family homes. In apartments or condos the panels are often installed in bedrooms or halls. Article 240.24 lists the places where overcurrent devices, and thus by extension, panelboards may not be located.

How much space do I need around my electrical panel?

The width of the working space must be at least 30 inches, or the width of the panel, whichever is greater. However, the panel is not required to be centered on the working space, it could be offset to one side or the other. But, the width of the working space must allow for the panel door to open at least 90 degrees.

Do breaker boxes have to be outside?

Over the past 15 years, regulations have been introduced in certain parts of the country requiring breaker boxes to be located outside of the home. This is so that the local fire department can quickly shut off a home's electricity supply in the event of a fire.

How far does an electrical panel need to be from a wall?

According to the NEC, the working space around the breaker panel must be at least 6′ 6” high and 3 feet square away from the wall, with 30” width.

Does an electrical panel need to be on an outside wall?

They are almost always on an exterior wall. In some areas they are on the outside of the exterior wall - outside your house. Most inspectors would tell you that a garage (interior or exterior wall) or in the basement exterior (right where the line comes in) are the two best locations.

How much does it cost to move an electrical panel?

Moving an electric panel is not a DIY project and shouldn't be attempted without proper training and licensing. The cost of moving an electric panel can range from $1000 to $4000 or more depending on the amount of work needed to complete the job. The national average is $1,107 to install a main electrical panel.

Can you put an electrical panel in a laundry room?

The electrical panels must have an open space of at least 30 inches wide and 36 inches deep. If the open space rule is not violated, these panels can be placed in a laundry room.

Can an electrical panel be in a kitchen?

You cannot put it next to anything. There must a clear space in front of the panel for an electrician to stand. The space must be kept clear for at least 3 feet in front of the panel, and for 30 inches left to right in front of the panel.

How close to the floor can an electrical panel be?

Mounting Height

A height limit applies to mounting a panel box. The circuit breaker at the top of the box may not be higher than 6-foot 7-inches from the floor. A permanent platform must be below the panel box if the top circuit breaker exceeds this specific height.

Can an electrical panel be behind a door?

Platinum Member. I see nothing wrong with the panel being installed behind a door as long as there is access to the panel that meets the working clearances and the panel door is allowed to open 90°.

Can you put anything in front of an electrical panel?

The National Electrical Code [NEC 110.26 (A)(1&2)] requires a clear area for access and working in front of an electric panel that is 2.5 feet (30”) wide, 3 feet (36”) deep, and 6.5 feet (78”) high for a regular residential 120/240-volt panel.

How do I cover my electric panel in my living room?

Strategically placed artwork, framed message boards, or a weaving or tapestry are all viable options for covering up obtrusive electrical eyesores. HGTV suggests inserting child proof safety plugs into unused outlets before covering with artwork.

Can you put electrical panel under stairs?

While not specifically excluded by the National Electrical Code (NEC), there are two code standards that a panel must comply with to be located under a stair: 1) The under-stair space is usally a closet, and a panel cannot be located in a closet near ignitable material [NEC 240.24(F)].

Can a panel be in a staircase?

It's acceptable as long as the landing meets the code requirement for a safe access area in front of the panel: 2'-6” wide by 3'-0” deep level floor below it, and 6'-6” high clear above floor in front of it [NEC 110.26 (A)(1,2,3)].

Is it OK to cover electrical panel?

You are allowed to cover your electrical panel but it must be easy to open, can not interfere with the opening of the steel door of the panel and you have to make sure you have full access to all of the breakers. Keep in mind that some local electrical codes may prohibit the covering of your electrical panel.

How do you hide a panel box?