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k62254 · Sep 8, 2013, 05:27 AM

We are building a new home and walked through it yesterday to check on the work. We noticed the electrical had been ran through the home. We checked the basement and noticed the breaker box was placed right under the master bedroom bathtub with all the wires coming out of the box , running right over the pvc pipes. Now I'm no expert, but water and electric doesn't mix. If we had a leak from the tub or pipes the water would run right into the electrical box. In the model and in our neighbors, the box is on the opposite wall away from plumbing. We want this box moved and do not feel safe with it placement. Are we right that it should be placed right under water pipes/bathtub? Would it pass code?

hkstroud · Sep 8, 2013, 06:22 AM

Better question is "Where is the basement bath".

Since baths are often stacked one above the other, it is quite possible that this area is the basement bath (it may only be a rough in for future use). I have seen it happen. Electric panel was put in basement shower.

Being below a bath on an upper floor, probably meets code, but I wouldn't like it either and would demand change.

joypulv · Sep 8, 2013, 06:28 AM

Where I live I think this is not code. Simple enough to find out when the building inspector comes. Did you change the floor plan above at any time?

k62254 · Sep 8, 2013, 06:48 AM

Originally Posted by hkstroud

Better question is "Where is the basement bath".

Since baths are often stacked one above the other, it is quite possible that this area is the basement bath (it may only be a rough in for future use). I have seen it happen. Electric panel was put in basement shower.

Being below a bath on an upper floor, probably meets code, but I wouldn't like it either and would demand change.

Our basement bathroom is on the other side of the house. The electrical panel is placed directly under our master bathtub.If there was a leak from the tub the water would drip directly into/on the electrical panel. Just doesn't seem safe to us. Plus, if my husband had to do and repairs to the pipes or the panel it self, we would have to worry about water/electrical mix. Just not safe to us... and we don't really understand why it was put there. Our neighbors house and the model home is the same floor plan... and the box is not placed where ours is. I hope they don't fight us on this... because I'm not taking the house with that worry.

k62254 · Sep 8, 2013, 06:49 AM

All the wires coming out of the box run directly around the water pipes and then outside of the house. Just doesn't make sense

joypulv · Sep 8, 2013, 06:51 AM

Before you worry any more, find out if it passed inspection or not. I don't think it should.

hkstroud · Sep 8, 2013, 07:01 AM

The electrical panel is placed directly under our master bathtub.

That alone, probably does not violate any code.

I hope they don't fight us on this...

They will.

the model home is the same floor plan... and the box is not placed where ours is.

That is probably you best weapon.

.because I'm not taking the house with that worry.

Next best weapon and I would state that in writing, now.

stanfortyman · Sep 8, 2013, 07:01 AM

I bet it is absolutely fine. IMO you are worrying about nothing.
Personally I would like to see a pic of the area to be sure.
If the pipes run into the working clearances of the panel then that may be an issue, but the whole "what if there is a leak" mentality is extremely reactionary.
Water and electric mix and are in very proximity all over the house. It is not an issue.

What about a boiler? Water and electric are in extremely proximity.
What about an electric water heater? There is an electric heat element immersed in the water for goodness sakes.

Panels are placed where they are due to home layout and service location from the utility. Same goes for plumbing. Comparing your home to your neighbor is meaningless.
In neighborhoods around me there are sections with cookie cutter homes. Exactly the same floor plan, layout, everything. Depending on where the utility poles/underground are the electrical panels are in one of several locations within the home.

If I were doing this job and you asked me to move the main panel it would be a big ($$) change order. This is not an easy task.

If you have unreasonable fears such as this you should have gone over them with the contractor well prior to work beginning.

stanfortyman · Sep 8, 2013, 07:02 AM

Where I live I think this is not code.

You think?
And what code would this be?

Before you worry any more, find out if it passed inspection or not. I don't think it should.

Sorry to say this, but you are just perpetuating unrealistic fears.

joypulv · Sep 8, 2013, 07:14 AM

I DID look it up for my state, years ago, because it applied to my house at the time. But don't feel like it now, with cataracts and leg pain. So I suppose I should have not said anything, except that the OP is fretting.

stanfortyman · Sep 8, 2013, 07:18 AM

I'm just curious as to what you meant by it not being code.
Pipes above a panel?
Working clearance issue?

I bet it's the latter and not the former, but you thought it had something to do with it being pipes. This is a common misconception.

k62254 · Sep 8, 2013, 07:35 AM

My issue is that if you look up right above the panel, the drain to the bath is right there. If we have a leak from the bath or even the pipes... the water is going to leak right into the panel. This shouldn't be a concern?

stanfortyman · Sep 8, 2013, 07:50 AM

IMO no, it shouldn't. This same scenario could apply in so many areas of a home. It's just those you don't see, so it's out of sight out of mind.

Why would it? Tell me what you think would happen in the highly unlikely event if water leaked onto, or even into, the panel.

joypulv · Sep 8, 2013, 08:06 AM

I could be wrong about what I thought I looked up.
As for fears, my situation was a 70 amp subpanel that had rusted beyond belief under a kitchen sink for 40+ years, and my friend moved it to the finished basement below, but then I plumbed right over it, so worried about it again. But it had never shorted out, and it stayed 5' below the kitchen sink, and the house was sold and I have no idea what happened after that.

stanfortyman · Sep 8, 2013, 08:44 AM

If you have leaking pipes over a service panel the problem is not the panel, it is the leaking pipes.

Very long term rust is one of the only problems I can think of. Then again, if the basement is unfinished rust may be a problem either way due to moisture.