First Ever Panel in MB Closet of Manufactured Home

[pbennett1 (Peter Bennett, NJ Lic# 24G100037100)]

This is the first time I have seen this.
I know that in residential detached single family homes that a sub/service panel is not allowed in a clothes closet, but what about in a manufactured home?
Peter

[dbush2]

Peter, I see them there quite often, not as much in the newer ones, but some of the few year old ones were in the MBR closet.

[pbennett1 (Peter Bennett, NJ Lic# 24G100037100)]

so are they allowed?
The manufactured home was made in PA but shipped and installed in NJ.
pb

[rmeier2 (Robert Meier)]

This might be applicable:

II. Mobile and Manufactured Homes
550.11 Disconnecting Means and Branch-Circuit Protective Equipment.
The branch-circuit equipment shall be permitted to be combined with the disconnecting means as a single assembly. Such a combination shall be permitted to be designated as a distribution panelboard. If a fused distribution panelboard is used, the maximum fuse size for the mains shall be plainly marked with lettering at least 6 mm (¼ in.) high and visible when fuses are changed.
Where plug fuses and fuseholders are used, they shall be tamper-resistant Type S, enclosed in dead-front fuse panelboards. Electrical distribution panelboards containing circuit breakers shall also be dead-front type.
FPN: See 110.22 concerning identification of each disconnecting means and each service, feeder, or branch circuit at the point where it originated and the type marking needed.
(A) Disconnecting Means. A single disconnecting means shall be provided in each mobile home consisting of a circuit breaker, or a switch and fuses and its accessories installed in a readily accessible location near the point of entrance of the supply cord or conductors into the mobile home. The main circuit breakers or fuses shall be plainly marked “Main.” This equipment shall contain a solderless type of grounding connector or bar for the purposes of grounding, with sufficient terminals for all grounding conductors. The terminations of the grounded circuit conductors shall be insulated in accordance with 550.16(A). The disconnecting equipment shall have a rating not less than the calculated load. The distribution equipment, either circuit breaker or fused type, shall be located a minimum of 600 mm (24 in.) from the bottom of such equipment to the floor level of the mobile home.
FPN: See 550.20(B) for information on disconnecting means for branch circuits designed to energize heating or air-conditioning equipment, or both, located outside the mobile home, other than room air conditioners.
A distribution panelboard shall be rated not less than 50 amperes and employ a 2-pole circuit breaker rated 40 amperes for a 40-ampere supply cord, or 50 amperes for a 50-ampere supply cord. A distribution panelboard employing a disconnect switch and fuses shall be rated 60 amperes and shall employ a single 2-pole, 60-ampere fuseholder with 40- or 50-ampere main fuses for 40- or 50-ampere supply cords, respectively. The outside of the distribution panelboard shall be plainly marked with the fuse size.
The distribution panelboard shall be located in an accessible location but shall not be located in a bathroom or a clothes closet. A clear working space at least 750 mm (30 in.) wide and 750 mm (30 in.) in front of the distribution panelboard shall be provided. This space shall extend from the floor to the top of the distribution panelboard.

[pbennett1 (Peter Bennett, NJ Lic# 24G100037100)]

it does help
where did you get this?
thanks,
PB

[ecolclasure (Ed D. Colclasure, III)]

All the manufacturer would have to do to get around the code is call it a utility room on there plans. No longer in a clothes closet its the home owners that are miss using the room. I’m not saying this is what happened but I have seen it in construction before.

[krunquist (Keith Runquist)]

How old is the home? Makes all the difference. “Allowed” means code. We don’t do code. I know nothing of NJ but you may want to refer the situation to an electician who does “do code.” I have seen the same thing here on old homes. Not on newer ones though.

[rmeier2 (Robert Meier)]

@pbennett1

it does help
where did you get this?
thanks,
PB

Sorry Peter I should have noted it, NFPA 70, the 2008 National Electrical Code**. ** For further information you can check out the FPN at the bottom.

550.1 Scope.
The provisions of this article cover the electrical conductors and equipment installed within or on mobile and manufactured homes, the conductors that connect mobile and manufactured homes to a supply of electricity, and the installation of electrical wiring, luminaires, equipment, and appurtenances related to electrical installations within a mobile home park up to the mobile home service-entrance conductors or, if none, the mobile home service equipment.
FPN: For additional information on manufactured housing see NFPA 501-2005, Standard on Manufactured Housing, and Part 3280, Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards, of the Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development.