Electrical Panel Location

[James T Timler]

I am looking at purchasing a small home. The electrical panel is located inside a kitchen cabinet, close to the floor and below a kitchen counter. I assume this is a huge violation for clearance. Any confirmation is greatly appreciated. Also, the electric hot water heater is located in closet next to the furnace. The romex wire comes out of the ceiling directly into the water heater. Does there need to be a secondary disconnect and conduit? All feedback is appreciated. I will try to post a picture as well.

 

[cda]

Welcome

Which great state or territory are you in??

 

[cda]

How old is the house?

I am not an electrical person.


I think your water heater wiring is ok.


Not sure why you panel is in the location it is???? Is this the only panel for the entire house?

Is the electric meter on the outside in this area???

 

[jar546]

The panel is in a horrible location and a major safety concern due to access.

 

[James T Timler]

Welcome

Which great state or territory are you in??

The property is located in Wisconsin. The house is 90+ years old. Originally built as a cottage but has been a permanent residence for well over half its age. The panel is updated with circuit breakers.

 

[James T Timler]

How old is the house?

I am not an electrical person.


I think your water heater wiring is ok.


Not sure why you panel is in the location it is???? Is this the only panel for the entire house?

Is the electric meter on the outside in this area???

Yes, it is the main panel for all of the house. The house is 90+ years old. Originally built as a cottage but has been a permanent residence for over 50 years. Panel is updated with circuit breakers. Electric meter is outside.

 

[mark handler]

The panel needs to have an open working space in front of it, at least 36 inches deep, 30 inches wide, and from floor to ceiling. You may be able to get away with simply putting a door over the panel for decorative purposes, but a cabinet will end up getting filled with stuff that will block access.
NEC 110.26(A) – The working space about electrical service panel/sub-panel shall be at least 3 ft. in front of the electrical panel. The width of the working space shall be 30” or greater, and the height of the space shall extend from the floor to 6 1/2 feet or the height of the panel, whichever is greater.

 

[James T Timler]

The panel is in a horrible location and a major safety concern due to access.

The panel needs to have an open working space in front of it, at least 36 inches deep, 30 inches wide, and from floor to ceiling. You may be able to get away with simply putting a door over the panel for decorative purposes, but a cabinet will end up getting filled with stuff that will block access.
NEC 110.26(A) – The working space about electrical service panel/sub-panel shall be at least 3 ft. in front of the electrical panel. The width of the working space shall be 30” or greater, and the height of the space shall extend from the floor to 6 1/2 feet or the height of the panel, whichever is greater.

Thanks for the information. I tried to post a picture but I could not get it to work.

 

[cda]

Thanks for the information. I tried to post a picture but I could not get it to work.

If you are not a forum supporting member ( cheap to join), you have to make the picture a link and post the link

 

[cda]

Sounds like you might negotiate a little money to get the panel moved.

 

[James T Timler]

Sounds like you might negotiate a little money to get the panel moved.

Thanks, what is a number I should aim for? I am not sure if cost $1,000 or $10,000 to move a panel? Any further feedback is appreciated.

 

[James T Timler]

If you are not a forum supporting member ( cheap to join), you have to make the picture a link and post the link

I believe I am all signed up as a member but I do not believe I did the link correctly. A symbol instead of the image appeard.

 

[ADAguy]

What type of wiring? knob & tube/penny fuses?
May be a precode install or a DYI.

 

[James T Timler]

I did not see any K&T wiring. Anything that was visible to me looked like Romex. The panel has all circuit breakers and outside the house is a Generac back up generator wired into the main panel. My assumption is a permit was not taken out and a contractor did a cash deal.

 

[cda]

I believe I am all signed up as a member but I do not believe I did the link correctly. A symbol instead of the image appeard.

There are two levels

The paying one is sawhorse, I think $35

If you click on the round circle looking person, top right

Go to account upgrade

Look for annual sawhorse

And help keep this great site going

 

[cda]

Thanks, what is a number I should aim for? I am not sure if cost $1,000 or $10,000 to move a panel? Any further feedback is appreciated.

Talk to an electrician, there may be a little involved in moving it.

 

[James T Timler]

I am looking at purchasing a small home. The electrical panel is located inside a kitchen cabinet, close to the floor and below a kitchen counter. I assume this is a huge violation for clearance. Any confirmation is greatly appreciated. Also, the electric hot water heater is located in closet next to the furnace. The romex wire comes out of the ceiling directly into the water heater. Does there need to be a secondary disconnect and conduit? All feedback is appreciated. I will try to post a picture as well.

There are two levels

The paying one is sawhorse, I think $35

If you click on the round circle looking person, top right

Go to account upgrade

Look for annual sawhorse

And help keep this great site going

 

[James T Timler]

Thanks for giving me the update tip. Here is a picture showing the cabinet where the electrical panel is located.

 

[James T Timler]

I am looking at purchasing a small home. The electrical panel is located inside a kitchen cabinet, close to the floor and below a kitchen counter. I assume this is a huge violation for clearance. Any confirmation is greatly appreciated. Also, the electric hot water heater is located in closet next to the furnace. The romex wire comes out of the ceiling directly into the water heater. Does there need to be a secondary disconnect and conduit? All feedback is appreciated. I will try to post a picture as well.

 

[ADAguy]

ouch! not even in an exterior wall, is it fed from a crawl space?

 

[James T Timler]

ouch! not even in an exterior wall, is it fed from a crawl space?

No crawl space under this house it is just on a slab. All wires appear to run in the ceiling and then back down along the fireplace and then into the panel.

 

[cda]

Thanks for giving me the update tip. Here is a picture showing the cabinet where the electrical panel is located.

Thanks for supporting

Yea two more recruits and I get a toaster.

 

[cda]

View attachment 6473

Have an electrician evaluate

Maybe easiest is next to the fireplace.

Where is the electric meter in relation to this picture.

 

[James T Timler]

Have an electrician evaluate

Maybe easiest is next to the fireplace.

Where is the electric meter in relation to this picture.

The meter is outside next to the chimney of the fireplace.