ECN Forum Forums Code Related Discussion NEC & other Code issues Panels in basement

I always use a PT 2X4 and mount that to the concrete then mount my plywood to the 2x4's.

Emt straps also corrode, as do the mounting screws for the panels, and so forth and so on.

New PT is copper-treated and will create corrosion problems of its own!

Those plastic panelboard enclosures look better every day.
If this is above ground, a stucco'ed concrete wall is pretty dry. A galvanized 1900 box should last forever.
Before you stucco a block wall you can blow water through it with a garden hose. We never hang drywall before stucco.

Here in this area basements are poured concrete with code required damp proofing applied to the outside.

In general most modern basement walls in this area are not damp once the concrete cures.

In the commercial jobs usually the specs will require a water proofing membrane be applied to the outside of the concrete.

Once cured these walls will not be damp again.


My own basement is made of stones, very damp and very tough to hang panels on, I built a plywood wall about 4" off the stone to let air flow behind.

Bob, that was my thinking too. When I set the "way-back" machine to when I was living in the frozen subterrainian north I remember basemenmt walls were parged and painted with black tar.

Up here in Canada we used to have to put drywall behind the panel in basements. Not anymore. I think it was for fire protection?

I always use unistrut when mounting a panel to a poured concrete or block wall in a basement or above grade.

Fred, do you use the strut to mount a sheet of plywood?

Or do you use the strut to mount the panel directly to the strut?

Don't mind me asking, I'm always interested in new ways of doing things to better improve my work.

I mount the panel to the strut, usually. I have used unistrut to mount a 4x4 sheet of plywood for mounting the panel, video and phone equipment. It was a request from the homeowner and over-kill in my opinion.