We are redoing an old small house in which the fuse box is under a kitchen cabinet along with the water meter. We are replacing the fuse box to a 100A circuit breaker box. Right now the fuse box and the water meter are located 12 inches apart. How far away from the water meter is the breaker box required to be per the NEC? We were going to put it back in the same place but a friend thought the NEC had other requirements. Our current location is Toledo, OH.

We are redoing an old small house in which the fuse box is under a kitchen cabinet along with the water meter. We are replacing the fuse box to a 100A circuit breaker box. Right now the fuse box and the water meter are located 12 inches apart. How far away from the water meter is the breaker box required to be per the NEC? We were going to put it back in the same place but a friend thought the NEC had other requirements. Our current location is Toledo, OH.

The panel can be right next to the water meter, but you must still meet clearances.
There must be a clear space at the panel 30" wide and 36" deep, and 6'6" high.
The panel need not be centered in the 30" wide space.

A 30" wide by 36" deep working space is required in front of the electric panel. The panel can be as far away from the water meter as desired. The two are not related.

Translation, the panel cannot be inside a kitchen cabinet.

Where does the electric service enter the residence, you want the meter as close to that point as possible.

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Originally Posted by donf

Translation, the panel cannot be inside a kitchen cabinet.

Where does the electric service enter the residence, you want the meter as close to that point as possible.

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The service currently comes into the house on an exterior wall right behind the cabinet. The water meter is in this cabinet as well.

Bec,

In order to be in compliance with the NEC you will have to relocate the panel from under the sink counter.

You need to mount the panel where there is a minimum of 6' from floor to ceiling. If you have a suspended ceiling, below the 6' level, that is acceptable.

There has to be a 3' side to side clearance in front of the panel (the panel can be off-center within that 3' zone.

There needs to be at least a 3' deep space from in front of the panel extending toward the middle of the room.

Contact your Power Company to have them tell you where they are willing to move the service to.

Then contact the LHJ, file a project plan with them and then get a permit.

Since you are moving the panel, all of the associated with the panel will have to relocated also.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by donf

Bec,

In order to be in compliance with the NEC you will have to relocate the panel from under the sink counter.

You need to mount the panel where there is a minimum of 6' from floor to ceiling. If you have a suspended ceiling, below the 6' level, that is acceptable.

There has to be a 3' side to side clearance in front of the panel (the panel can be off-center within that 3' zone.

There needs to be at least a 3' deep space from in front of the panel extending toward the middle of the room.

Contact your Power Company to have them tell you where they are willing to move the service to.

Then contact the LHJ, file a project plan with them and then get a permit.

Since you are moving the panel, all of the associated with the panel will have to relocated also.

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Don, thanks for the information. The next question we have is can the breaker box be located on an outside wall or does it have to be an internal wall?

Yes, a main panel can be located outside. Check with your local power company about where they are willing to put the service line to your home, that will lock your decision as to where the service panel can be installed.