Does the NEC permit water pipes to be routed above an electrical panel? I would be running Pex water pipes above it. I am limited to where I can put the subpanel and water pipes.

No, the space above an electrical panel is dedicated to only wiring, not any mechanical system that could leak fluid down onto a panel.

If another system must be located there, then a drip pan is needed below that system to collect and drain off the fluid and protect the panel below.

I find nothing that forbids a water line above the panel. In my basement, a 3/4 CPVC line runs through the wall above the panel, 1 runs down the stud next to the panel and 1 runs 12" below the panel. We live in metro Atlanta, 2 year old house. Your local code people may have other ideas.

See Article 110 of the National Electric Code 2008 edition,

Section 110.26 Spaces About Electrical Equipment.
(F) Dedicated Equipment Space.
All switchboards, panelboards,distribution boards, and motor control centers shall be located in dedicated spaces and protected from damage.

(1) Indoor.
Indoor installations shall comply with 110.26(F)(1)(a) through (F)(1)(d).

(a) Dedicated Electrical Space.
The space equal to the width and depth of the equipment and extending from the floor to a height of 1.8 m (6 ft) above the equipment or to the structural ceiling, whichever is lower, shall be dedicated to the electrical installation. No piping, ducts, leak protection apparatus, or other equipment foreign to the electrical installation shall be located in this zone.


(b) Foreign Systems. The area above the dedicated space required by 110.26(F)(1)(a) shall be permitted to contain foreign systems, provided protection is installed to avoid damage to the electrical equipment from condensation, leaks, or breaks in such foreign systems.

Seems clear to me.

TK,

Well said. Question, if the foreign system is within the 6' dedicated because of structural height, as in my garage for example. I just measured the height from the floor to the top of the cabinet is 5.5'.

The distance from the cabinet to the rafter is about 4.5'. The garage is an open rafter design and the roof would be 12' above the cabinet.

Given those heights, if I were to attempt to run a water line just under the rafter, I would be violating the space and either the water line or the panel would have to be relocated, correct?

TK, I did read your post. However, my panel box is in a wall stud bay-"enclosure"? 2 CPVC pipes and 1 drain pipe run across the face of the studs, 1 water above and 1 water and drain below. This is in an open utility core with a bath on the back wall. None of the piping is "in" the enclosure, but across it. "b" foreign systems implies you could run the piping above if "...provided protection ...leaks". Could not the PEX piping in the question asked by ADKHKR be sleeved in another PVC pipe that extends say 1 ft. on either side of the breaker panel and meet the code?

No, the code is self explanatory.

First, as I understand the NEC (section referenced by TK) you cannot come closer than 6' above the panel. This is a dedicated space.

What that means to me is that if the foreign system (say plumbing drain pipe) the drip pan can be six ft. above the panel and the pipe had to be above that.

Hey Donf, If that's the case, they missed that on my house. I will say that the upper pipe, 1/2 " is buried in the FG insulation and you have to move it to see the pipe. Brian

They who?

When was the home built?

COI inspection for house built in 2007.