Trouble reaching to panel - ECN Electrical Forums

All pics and info supplied by Tiffany_Sparks:

Quote

These photo's are taken in the attic area of the house I rent...............
My problem started with the globe on the ceiling fan in the living room getting bumped hard enough that it crashed to the floor......(17 y/o is still in hiding)........anyway........the fan/light combo isn't working, nor is the diningroom light which is on the same switch, also noted that the "attic" lights are not working either. I am assuming all these are on the same breaker......which I can see as tripped, but am unable to get to!!

That funky yellow is where I moved the camera before the shutter clicked...sorry..

[Linked Image]

Tiff,
Is that one of them Sylaska fans?.
They make a version that is imported to New Zealand.
They often have to be modified here to put the direction switch on the controller plate.
I hate the things. [Linked Image]

Why can't you get to the breaker panel???

Because of the health hazard posed by the rat doots on the window sill? [Linked Image]

I was trying to figure out why you added the green line pointing to the box near the floor. It took me way too long to figure out that it's a green LED that the camera caught during the exposure (before the flash went off). Doh!

Tiffany:
Not strictly related to the subject, but it's nice to hear from you again. Hope all is well.

Mike (mamills)

Was the light fixture on at the time that this "event" took place? I have heard (and seen) situations where a violent shock to a light bulb not only jars the filament out of position, but causes a short circuit as it fails, resulting in the tripped breaker.

Sort of an unfortunate choice of location for a breaker box, with so little clearance that part of the panel cover has to be tucked up into the ceiling. Is there some sort of clearance issue in front of this panel as well?

Mike (mamills)

BTW, that thing with the green LED is a pretty neat effect [Linked Image]

.

Hello, thank you for your replies.......

The ceiling fan was checked , all the wire connections were snug...so it was put back up, and the breaker reset. It hasn't tripped since.
I do not know the brand of fan it is, I find no identifying tag.
The area that contains the panel is approx. 10 feet wide, depth measured 2ft 6 inches from window sill to door frame.
The space between the waterheater and the door frame is 11 inches. How many on this forum can get through a spot 11 inches wide?

It was not an option to allow the one little enough to fit in there to reset the breaker, she is only 3. I reset the breaker using a broom handle.

I believe this is one of those, DIY builds that they did with, what they had.

Tiff.

I the UK it is a regulation that there is suitable space to access the panel and that nothing obstructs or covers the panel like that plasterboarding.

The American NEC has similar access requirements Nick:

Quote

110.26 Spaces About Electrical Equipment. Sufficient access and working space shall be provided and maintained about all electrical equipment to permit ready and safe operation and maintenance of such equipment.

It goes on to list the minimum depth of working space in front of equipment, based upon voltage and other considerations, the minimum being 3 ft. for a 120/240V service. It also specifies a minimum working width of 30 in. or the width of the equipment, whichever is greater, and says that equipment panels and doors must be capable of being opend to at least 90 degrees.

This is however folks, a prime example of "in-accessable".
In the last week, in taking on the job of a Fire Safety Officer, this term "accessible" takes on a whole new meaning.
"can you you get there easily without removing parts of the building" springs to mind.
This installation does not suggest that.
I would sort of hope that there is an external means of disconnection.