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<p align="center"><img border="0" src="https://www.electrical-contractor.net/Violations/Submissions/shower&panel550.jpg">
This was reported to me by an electrician who was in the process of a complete rewire of this house. He has since relocated the panel to an outside wall. This location was in a shower/tub area, as seen by the shower curtain. I have no idea how long this was in this location. <p align="center">Photo Submitted by: Mr. Rick Miell
Otero County Electrical Inspector La Junta, Colorado
[This message has been edited by Webmaster (edited 04-11-2003).]
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The house I moved in last year, had the shower stall located next to the electrical panel (the only separation was a sliding mirror doors), a similar situation like this. Upon a closer inspection, the panel was NEW, and probably was replaced within 2 years. Some original hardware pieces left behind were rusted, to tell you about the state of the old panel after repeated exposure to humidity. Needless to say, we opted to renovate the bathroom and separate the 2 'entities' by a solid wall. The shower stall, which was defined by the renovation contractor as a Sunday job, had other electrical problems (like a light switch too close to the shower stall, etc).
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ns, I agree that switches and other Electrical devices do not belong where they can be reached from the shower or tub. I make every effort to keep them as far away as I can. But ... according to the NEC as long as the switch is not located within the limits of the shower stall - there is no distance-from requirement. There is not even a GFCI protection rule for this switch. If it was a Hot Tub, Spa or pool it would be very different though (- it must not be closer than 5 feet).
Bill
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Rick, you've got me pawing thru the books here....I see 240-24-e was new in '93, so does that mean if a proper NEMA rated panel were installed in a shower before that code cycle it would have been compliant?
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I was kinda thinking along the same lines, but I was wondering what if it wasn't a Bathroom? Is a room with a Tub or shower automatically a Bathroom? According to the Definition there must also be a Sink (Basin)
Bill
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That was in a shower?!! And people actually got in there and BATHED ?!! Turning on water and splashing it all about??!! HOLY CATS!!! You would have to point a missile with a Nuke war head at me to get me in that shower!! This must have been the most intense thrill-seekers/stunt persons' house in the history of man kind!! I thought I saw a lot of crazy stuff, but man! some of the photos you guys get have me cringing! I couldn't even begin to imagine the stuff you Inspectors and Electricians that are involved in Residential Remodels must see!!... Scarry! With all that aside, what would you say is a fair percentage of jobs that you feel are done above standard, or impressively done to you? [Inspectors and Electricians both]. Jobs where the EC has done neat work, if any correction is written or needed, it would be a small thing only. Scott
Scott " 35 " Thompson Just Say NO To Green Eggs And Ham!
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Bill....you have a point, this could be somewhat of a loophole here, by definition it would seem that an appropriately rated/ listed panel could theoretically be in a shower stall. They do exist in worst environments....myself I really would appreciate a panel-free shower at the day's end. Scott, in my experience, there are "neat" jobs that look really good, and there are "compliant" jobs in which the installer meets , or exceeds code. Most sparky's like to energize the combination of the two and sleep good.
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It's a little hard to tell from the photo if the panel is actually located inside the shower of if the picture was taken from inside the tub/shower looking out. The caption does say tub/shower area. Neither would be my choice of location but it would seem a little saner (assuming the panel is properly installed and grounded)if it is actually outside the tub/shower unit. Still a big issue with moisture.
[This message has been edited by Webmaster (edited 12-29-2000).]
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LNP,
(I had the picture taken out of your post to quicken load time) Rick said that the panel was indeed in the shower!
Bill
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I have had much experience in industry with similar locations. Here are a few tips: -NEMA doesn't rate for condensation. A NEMA-1 box is preferable to an undrained NEMA-3 or -4(hosetight) box, as the condensation WILL accumulate. I've seen boxes with over an inch of condensate in them. -Water will also enter conduit and condense, and settle, in low spots. THHN is not suitable for these wet locations. -Corrosion of terminals and connections can be prevented with NOALOX. Commercial anti-seize is often used, but is not technically listed for this use; Noalox is. Apply the Noalox also to conduit fittings, etc., to prevent their rusting-up as well. -Finally, this application is not as scary as it looks. Not only does water have a place to drain, but it is typical in Europe for the 220V water heater to be hung within the shower enclosure. While I wouldn't have a panel inside a shower, I also know that panels are often placed in industrial areas that are even wetter, and more subject to condensation and corrosion!
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