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Joined: Jun 2004
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Can I use the old 100 amp, 20 circuit main panel as a juction box on a 200amp service upgrade where I will be changing the location of the panel?
I'm moving the panel 4 feet to get the needed working clearance. I'll strip out the guts of the panelboard.
I know I've seen this done before. I want to know if it is code compliant?
shortcircuit
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Joined: May 2005
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It is a box designed for electrical wiring. I consider it OK as long as you can't open the cover by the hinges, and that you consider derating if you run all the circuits in one large conduit between the two.
Sometimes it's a more attractive installation to have some 4X4 junction boxes over the old panel for the short wires, and pull the long ones into the new panel.
Dave
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Joined: Dec 2000
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Why can't you open the old panel by its hinges?
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Joined: May 2003
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Many inpspectors here will allow a panel to be used as only if you screw the door shut, so wiring isn't exposed throught the breaker KO's. They won't accept breaker KO'seals/blanks as many easily fall out. Some will go as far as to have you write on the panel (Now j-box), "No breakers or fuses inside."
Mark Heller "Well - I oughta....." -Jackie Gleason
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Joined: Jul 2004
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If you could come up with a blank cover for the cabinet it isn't a breaker box anymore. That would be a cleaner installation.
Greg Fretwell
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Joined: Dec 2000
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Then would that leave a hinge-cover wireway or gutter in the same boat? I can understand this in the case of a panel that doesn't have any door on it. The marking is a good idea, and I've screwed many of the doors shut myself. I just didn't understand the logic behind its being a requirement. Thanks
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Joined: Jul 2002
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I have been reading the code book for 30 years and haven't yet found any requirement to screw the cover shut when turning it into a j-box. Now you could find lots of codes that pertain to other things that could be redily misaplied to this such as listing requirements and protection from physical damage, etc, but it realy is not prohibited in any way.
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Joined: May 2005
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I don't think it's much of a stretch to consider the gaping hole left by the absence of breakers an "unused opening".
Then Article 110.12 (A) would apply.
Dave
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Joined: Feb 2005
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It's interesting that breaker blanks are acceptable when the panel's buses are hot, but not okay when they're dead.
Larry Fine Fine Electric Co. fineelectricco.com
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Joined: Jun 2003
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+1 for the idea of a blank cover. I don't know if the OEM make them - it would probably be a job for a local metal fab place - but I think it would be a cleaner look.
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