Upside down panel

Originally Posted By: jmyers
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Is it ok according to the NEC to position an electrical panel upside down? By this I mean the main breaker positioned at the bottom of the panel instead of the top.


Joe Myers


Originally Posted By: jpeck
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Yes. On most (if not all) panels you will see LINE written above and below each other, so that it is right side up either way.


Provided that 'down' is 'off' on the breaker. This is not a problem if the breaker operates horizontally.

The above is for interior enclosures (not in damp locations).

Exterior enclosures must be right side up.


--
Jerry Peck
South Florida

Originally Posted By: jfarsetta
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What Jerry said.


But, I have also seen it where the breakers operate where down is on. Inspection tag on the inside of the cover. The electrician did this because if not, the main disconnect would have been over 6'7" A.F.F.

I know its wrong, but the AHJ apparently bought the argument, and looked the other way.

I noted it in the report.


--
Joe Farsetta

Illigitimi Non Carborundum
"Dont let the bastards grind you down..."

Originally Posted By: jpeck
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jfarsetta wrote:
I know its wrong, but the AHJ apparently bought the argument, and looked the other way.

I noted it in the report.


Shame on them (the AHJ). As you know, you did right.

I saw them start to do that once, then, when I asked the electrical inspector about it, he went out, looked at it, had them turn it back up the right way and put a 30" wide by 36" deep by 6" high step / platform in front of it (to raise the working space floor so the max height was within 6' 8" (which is what it was then, but has now been changed to 6' 7" to match metric measurements)


--
Jerry Peck
South Florida

Originally Posted By: rpalac
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The code clearly states that the products must be installed according to manufacturers specifications. If you know it is being installed upside down by an embosed writing of “TOP”, “BOTTOM” or “THIS END UP”, would that not be a manufacturer specification?


Technically or Not there are common sense rules that apply to some installations.

There are specific installation guidlines that are spelled out in the code for breaker installations.

Example:
Lowest elevation of center of lowest breaker A.F.F. (after finish floor)
Top of center to breaker for highest.
Accessible,or readily accessible.
Clearance of frontage 36"
Clearance of side agragate of 30".

I don't know the sections off hand. Can someone else lend a hand that has a book handy.

Bob P.


Originally Posted By: jmyers
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Jerry,


Does the "off" is "down" position on the breaker include the main breaker?

Joe Myers


Originally Posted By: jpeck
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.



jmyers wrote:
Jerry,

Does the "off" is "down" position on the breaker include the main breaker?

Joe Myers


Joe,

Yes. ALL breakers which do not operate horizontally or radially (I've never seen one operate radially, but it is allowed).


--
Jerry Peck
South Florida