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#91507 01/20/05 10:47 AM
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,507
G
Member
Is it necessary to install the Service panel on a board when installing it on the poured walls in the basement. Or can the contractor just "shoot" on the wall with a power actuated pin setter?


George Little
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#91508 01/20/05 11:21 AM
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 37
J
Member
Putting it on a board would make it much easier to fasten romex/conduit/whatever near the panel. Especially if its romex... good luck getting romex staples into concrete.

#91509 01/20/05 01:52 PM
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 9,923
Likes: 32
G
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I believe there has to be a 1/4" air space behind a metal cabinet attached directly to concrete that can accumulate moisture.
The wood relieves the installer of that.
If I get a minute I will dig up the specifics.


Greg Fretwell
#91510 01/20/05 02:02 PM
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 60
M
Member
Greg's answer is correct, however you'll find that most panels have little bump outs where the mounting screws go that just happen to protrude about 1/4 of an inch.

If your panel is like this, you should be able to mount it on concrete. However, if the poured wall isn't all that smooth, or the forms weren't well aligned, you may have concrete touching the back of the panel in places. Usually, this is right where you want a screw to go such as for a grounding bar or the main bonding jumper.

I'd suggest using some washers or short slices of 1/2" PCV conduit to make spacers to get the panel well over 1/4" off the concrete unless its a real smooth wall.


Mark
Kent, WA
#91511 01/20/05 06:49 PM
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,507
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I'm seeing installers shooting the panel on the poured cement walls and not using anchors and screws. I'm sure they don't maintain the .25" standoff that the dimples on the back of the panel provide. Am I getting to picky in my old age?


George Little
#91512 01/21/05 03:44 AM
Joined: Jul 2004
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I guess it all depends on what the chance of moisture accumulating behind the cabinet.


Greg Fretwell
#91513 01/21/05 07:35 AM
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 76
M
Member
I buy a 4'x8'piece of plywood, & have it cut into 3 pcs @ the Big Blue Box.
Makes a very neat looking installation, & will insure that the panel will not rust.

#91514 01/21/05 11:39 PM
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 173
S
Member
Who in their right mind would shoot a panel up with pins, especially right to the concrete?
Sound bush league to me.


Speedy Petey

"Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new." -Albert Einstein
#91515 01/22/05 04:54 PM
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 681
P
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312.2 requires the 1/4 inch space. If the installer chooses to install the panel directly to the surface (provided it has the 1/4 inch 'dimple', that is acceptable as per code. Going beyond the code is great, but cannot be enforced.

Pierre


Pierre Belarge
#91516 01/22/05 05:45 PM
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 7,520
P
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Not directly relevant to the NEC I know, but back in the days when British houses had basements or cellars the normal approach was to mount a sheet of plywood to the walls using porcelain standoffs, leaving a gap of about 3/8 to 1/2-inch.

The standoffs were designed in such a way that they went right through the board, effectively providing not only mechanical separation but also electrical insulation between board and fixing screws.


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