ECN Forum Forums Code Related Discussion NEC & other Code issues Height of disconnecting means?

I'm looking in the code and can't seem to find the minimum
height of the disconnecting means. I think it's 6ft. 3", but just want to make sure. I have a job coming up I'll probably have to turn the panel upside down to get the main breaker down low enough. I'm thinking that just pertains to the main, and not to the branch circuit breakers. Thanks for the help...

Wrong.

There is no minimum. You can set it at floor level, if you like. No disconnect - main or branch - can have its' center more than 6'7" above grade. That is, above whatever you're standing on when you're in front of it.

I clarify as I saw one service set directly above the basement stairs - it may have been 6' above 'grade,' but you needed a ladder in the stairwell to reach it!

I'm sorry. I may not have clarified what I was talking about. I'm talking about the minimum height of the main breaker in a panel. It can't be so high that it can't be readily accessible. I know I've seen it in the code somewhere. Thanks..

You mean maximum height. 240.24 (A)
/mike

sparky:

From the '08 Handbook:

240.24 Location in or on Premises.
(A) Accessibility. Overcurrent devices shall be readily accessible and shall be installed so that the center of the grip of the operating handle of the switch or circuit breaker, when in its highest position, is not more than 2.0 m (6 ft 7 in.) above the floor or working platform, unless one of the following applies:
(1) For busways, as provided in 368.17(C).
(2) For supplementary overcurrent protection, as described in 240.10.
(3) For overcurrent devices, as described in 225.40 and 230.92.
(4) For overcurrent devices adjacent to utilization equipment that they supply, access shall be permitted to be by portable means.

John, I always thought this to mean just the main breaker, but this sounds like "any" of the breakers". Is this how you interpret it?

Sorry, I missed Reno's full statement earlier. According to this "any" breaker cannot be higher than 6ft. 7in to center.
Thanks again..