Log in

View Full Version : Location of breaker box


tarheelgirl
Sep 17, 2010, 02:44 PM
Our house is for sale. The breaker box is located in the garage. A couple who are interested in the house have asked if the breaker box can be moved to the laundry room. The house was built in 2002 in SC. Is there anything in the NEC that would prevent relocating the breaker box to the laundry room?

stanfortyman
Sep 17, 2010, 03:24 PM
Let them do it after they buy.

Yes, it can be in a laundry room, but it MUST meet minimum clearances.

Fr_Chuck
Sep 17, 2010, 06:53 PM
It could be very costly to move it, so they want it there, it is not there, they can move it after they buy it, you can give them a few thousand off the house to allow them to move it
( most likely what they want anyway, and could care less where it is at, but wanted something to deal price on) * my best guess

donf
Sep 17, 2010, 09:04 PM
It is jut not simple to move the panel or the service entry.

Step 1 is to see if your utility company will allow the move. Everything from the meter back to the feed is theirs.

Also, the NEC requires that the main service panel be as close as possible to the entry point.

But yes it can be done, but as stated earlier, it is not easy or cheap and you will need a permit and inspection before the power would be turned back on.

Not to many people that I know of like to pull panels or meters while the service is on.

tkrussell
Sep 18, 2010, 03:29 AM
Couple of corrections.

The power utility has no jurisdiction over location of any panel in any building. They only are concerned about the point of attachment of aerial service entrance cable, and/or the meter location.

The NEC requires the Main Service Disconnecting Means be at the point of entry of the service entrance cable into a building, not a panel. A meter can remain where it is, add a Main Disconnect at the meter, and the panel can be anywhere in the building as allowed by NEC, no clothes closets, bathrooms, or stairways.

Some states will not allow panels under stairs.

I don't agree with Father Chucks advice, why should a seller cut the price of a home because the buyer wants to do something optional? As long as the existing condition is within Code, let the buyer foot the bill.

Tarheelgirl, Stan gave you the best advice, let the buyer deal with it if they chose. They can hire an electrician to advice them where they can move the panel to.