Nec Panel Behind Door

Height of working space around electrical equipment nec 110 26 a 3 for installations built before august 13 2007 the height of the working space must be 6 25 ft.

Nec panel behind door.

This is the only wall space left in a small room. Three of these standards concern the box location clearance and space around the box and box height. My interpretation of nec is panel behind door swing is a code violation. With the use of many panels overcurrent protection being installed in the apartment s closets tenants are unable to reset their gfi for bathroom if a breaker is used quickly.

These standards set the minimum safety standards for panel boxes. In actuality locating a panel behind a door can guarantee that the working space won t be used for storage such as in small electrical closets. 110 26 a 2 says in all cases the work shall permit at least a 90 degree opening of the equipment doors or hinged panels. In dwelling type occupancies closets are filled with clothes covering panels and they are also behind closed doors.

The door obviously prevents anything from being stored there. With the door closed there is plenty of nec required clearance in front of the panel. I see nothing wrong with a panel located behind a door provided that when the door is closed there is proper working space. The purpose for the national electrical code is to provide a safe installation but article 110 is perhaps focused a little more on providing an installation that is safe for the installer and maintenance electrician so time spent in.

If front door was open panel door could not open. Circuit breaker box installations are regulated by the nec.