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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 16
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New Panel and New Home (Condo). The Panel is 20 positions and no remaining openings.
Is there a requirement about only 80% fill or have some openings for additional circuits??
Could not find it in the NEC.
I know it is not a good installation, but is there a code violation?
Thanks in advance
Joe
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 785
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No. But maybe it is a 20/30 or a 20/40? Putting in some twins would free up some space.
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,143
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Many AHJ's around here have a "20% Vacancy" requirement, but it is all "inspector discretion" or spelled out in the local addendums.
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Joined: Mar 2005
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Thanks for the reply.
yes, this was already done, and there is probably room for additional twin breakers.
But I thought there should be openings in a new install.
Joe
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 16
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"Many AHJ's around here have a "20% Vacancy" requirement, but it is all "inspector discretion" or spelled out in the local addendums."
This was the case in Chicago, but not in Arizona
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 821
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Just make sure the panel is rated for twin breakers before putting them in there. Not all panels are rated for twin breakers. The panel legend will indicate if it is permissable or not.
Good luck.
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 9,662 Likes: 4
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There may be some local guidelines about future expandibility but that is not in the scope of the code. 90.1(B) says "Compliance therewith and proper maintenance will result in an installation that is essentially free from hazard but not necessarily efficient, convenient, or adequate for good service or future expansion of electrical use."
Greg Fretwell
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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 706
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DougW,
That's a new and absurd one I haven't heard before. What towns?
Dave
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,143
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IIRC a few - Gurnee and Zion come to mind (poss. also Northbrook and Des Plaines). As an example - Highland Park: Article 90 - Introduction (1) Section 90-8 (c) shall be added to read as follows: 172-1
90-8. (c) - Wiring Planning. In new construction, for future expansion, a minimum of ten percent (10%) of the available spaces in a panel shall be provided as spares or blank.
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,143
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IIRC a few - (poss. also Northbrook and Des Plaines). As an example - Highland Park: Article 90 - Introduction (1) Section 90-8 (c) shall be added to read as follows: 172-1
90-8. (c) - Wiring Planning. In new construction, for future expansion, a minimum of ten percent (10%) of the available spaces in a panel shall be provided as spares or blank. Gurnee: Section 230.23(a): At this end of this subsection, the following shall be added: "All residential service revisions shall be a minimum 100 amp with twenty (20) circuit openings and have a main circuit breaker. The service entrance conductors must be a minimum of three (3) #3 copper wire and be installed in a minimum of not less than one and one-quarter inch (1-1/4") conduit. The panel must have 10% of spare space at final inspection. They have a 15% minimum for commercial, retail, and industrial panels. [This message has been edited by DougW (edited 02-01-2007).]
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HCE727
Delaware County, PA, USA
Posts: 187
Joined: November 2005
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