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#91489 01/20/05 10:44 AM
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,507
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Member
Had a contractor ask me if it is okay to install a Service panel in a bedroom. Based on the controversy over AFCI's in bedrooms I thought this was an interesting question. What would be a proper response to this question?


George Little
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#91490 01/20/05 01:47 PM
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 9,919
Likes: 30
G
Member
I think the code is silent about that.


Greg Fretwell
#91491 01/20/05 02:00 PM
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,374
R
Moderator
Installing a panel in a bedroom is fine. A panel isn't an outlet, in my opinion.


Ryan Jackson,
Salt Lake City
#91492 01/20/05 06:52 PM
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,507
G
Member
There are those that say that any box that has a neutral and a hot in it should be considered an outlet. I don't happen to be one of them. But if you are one than I guess you would not install or permit the installation of a panel in the bedroom [Linked Image]

Edited for spelling not content.

[This message has been edited by George Little (edited 01-20-2005).]


George Little
#91493 01/20/05 07:17 PM
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 794
Likes: 3
W
Member
I had an apartment (that was built sometime around 1990) in Silicon Valley California that had the panel in the bedroom, behind the door. I suppose they chose that location as tennants would not place furnature in front of the panel as it would block opening the door to exit the bedroom (panel was in wall pependicular to the wall that the door was in). .

#91494 01/20/05 08:11 PM
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,457
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Member
People can argue it any way they want. It is not an outlet. It is allowed in a bedroom.

#91495 01/21/05 02:41 AM
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 806
Member
Take a look at this thread:
https://www.electrical-contractor.net/ubb/Forum5/HTML/000718.html

and ask that question again. [Linked Image] Admittedly violent failures like that are rare, but how would you feel if it happened in your bedroom?

Frankly, I wouldn't feel o.k. with it. Just my opinion.

I'd rather the damn thing be in the living room!

Edited for spelling.

EDIT #2: Here's another example:
https://www.electrical-contractor.net/ubb/Forum5/HTML/000838.html

[This message has been edited by mxslick (edited 01-21-2005).]

[This message has been edited by mxslick (edited 01-22-2005).]


Stupid should be painful.
#91496 01/22/05 05:03 PM
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 681
P
Member
We cannot install electrical equipment with the thought that something disastrous is going to occur. If we did, we would go back to candle light dinners [Linked Image].

Regardless of that, it is permitted to be installed in bedrooms.

Pierre


Pierre Belarge
#91497 01/22/05 05:34 PM
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 7,520
P
Member
Quote
A panel isn't an outlet, in my opinion.
I don't see how it could be classed as an outlet either.

From Article 100:
Quote
Outlet. A point on the wiring system at which current is taken to supply utilization equipment.

#91498 01/23/05 04:45 AM
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 806
Member
Quote
We cannot install electrical equipment with the thought that something disastrous is going to occur. If we did, we would go back to candle light dinners .

Regardless of that, it is permitted to be installed in bedrooms.

I think candlelight dinners are cool! [Linked Image]

I also agree with PCBlarge's statement, we cannot assume the worst when any thing is installed. :thumbs up:

But by the same token, as we've all seen in real life and in this forum, just because it's permitted doesn't necessarily mean it's the smart (or safest) thing to do.

Like wa2ise had posted, I too lived in an apartment with the breaker panel in the bedroom (the smaller of the two rooms). I used that room as an office. And that panel had no high-current (or 208v) loads served from it. (The complex was 208/120 service.)

My other apt. in Central Calif. had the panel located in the laundry "closet" with the washer and dryer. Again, no high loads. (Gas dryer.) (Of course, now the working clearance was questionable at best...)

So really, I guess to clarify my position, IF there were no Range, Elect. dryer or water heater loads served I would be o.k. with a bedroom panel, NOT located in the master bedroom. Otherwise, no way. I'm kinda stubborn like that. [Linked Image]


Stupid should be painful.
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