There must be 3 feet of clearance in front of your electrical panels, and the door must be able to open at least 90 degrees. Move any boxes or objects that obstruct your view. Ensure a washer or dryer doesn't block your electrical panel.
The NEC specifies that electrical panels must have a minimum clearance of 30 inches horizontally and 36 inches in front of the panel.
It's perfectly fine to cover up your electrical panel as long as it can be accessed when needed.
The minimum clear distance is generally 3 feet (0.9 meters) in front of the panel, although this can vary depending on the situation and the type of electrical equipment involved. This space ensures that workers have sufficient room to maneuver tools and perform necessary tasks without risk of contact with live parts.
Installation Guidelines
Adequate Space: Ensure that electrical panels are installed with the required clearances: 36 inches in depth, 30 inches in width, and 78 inches in height. Secure Mounting: Install panels on sturdy surfaces to prevent movement and ensure stability.
The NEC 110.26 states that the electrical panel and equipment must be placed in a location with ample clearance around them. There should be a 3 feet clearance in front of the electrical panels. Waterproofing is also essential in the case of plumbing. The panel door must be able to open up to at least 90 degrees.
Front clearance: There should be a minimum of 3 feet of clearance at the front of all electrical equipment, including panelboards, switches, breakers, starters, transformers, etc. Note that all panel doors and access doors must be able to open a minimum of 90 degrees.
Three feet of clearance from the front of the electrical panel. At least 30 inches of clearance on both sides of the electrical box. A height of at least 6 feet and 5 inches. The electrical box height should be 4-feet tall (off the ground) at a minimum—with an average height of 5–6 feet.
Why do electrical panels need 36 inches of clearance? OSHA states that the width of working space in front of electrical equipment should be the width of the equipment or 762mm (30 inches) whichever is greater.
If you're planning a big remodel you may be wondering if you can put your electrical panel in your closet. The short answer is: nope!
NEC 240.24(D) states that overcurrent devices (i.e. circuit breakers and by implication electrical panels since they contain circuit breakers) shall not be located in the vicinity of easily ignitable material, such as in clothes closets.
Electrical panel height from floor
The electrical equipment itself may have a height that is less than 61/2 feet, but if it is mounted so the top of the equipment is higher than 61/2 feet, the minimum working space height shall be the equipment height.
Standards require a clear area for access and working in front of an electric panel at least 36 inches (914 mm) in depth. The work space shall not be less than 30 inches (762 mm) wide in front of the electrical equipment and not less than the width of the equipment.
The electrical panel's steel door can be covered with paint or wallpaper. To reiterate, no paint can go behind the front of the door. And, no wallpaper or anything combustible inside the electrical panel door.
Electrical panels contain circuit breakers designed to trip and stop the flow of current to specific circuits and appliances. Easy access to electrical panels is essential for the protection of em- ployees in the workplace, and panels should never be blocked or inaccessible.
The 30 inch requirement starts at the front face, and goes side to side. If you have two 22 inch panels side by side, the total width is 44 inches. If the space in front is clear for all 44 inches of that width, to a depth of 36 inches (or 42, depending on the voltage level), you have met the rules.
The unobstructed space around an electrical panel is should typically be around 3 feet.
Without a backguard, a stove or range should typically be installed at least 6 inches away from a combustible back wall surface, like drywall. With a backguard, the range can usually be installed with zero wall clearance.
No soil, waste, vent or water piping shall be installed in the dedicated or working space for electrical panels. Dedicated space shall be defined as the space required for the width and depth of the panel and extending from the floor to a height of six feet above the panel.
Can a homeowner replace an electrical panel on their own? The short answer is yes, but it is strongly recommended to call a professional to handle an electrical project of this size. Many risks are involved in replacing an electrical panel without the proper experience or training.
The cost to replace an electrical panel ranges from $519 to $2,141, with an average price tag of $1,313. However, costs can reach up to $4,400 when you factor in breaker box replacement, moving your electrical panel, or the expansion of your home's amperage.
Final answer: Electrical panels are required by the National Electric Code to have at least 36 inches of clearance in front of the panel to provide safe access for maintenance and emergencies.
The National Electrical Code® (NEC)® Section 110.26 requires adequate working space for all electrical equipment. NEC Section 110.26(A) requires a clear space at least 30 inches wide and 36 inches deep if the equipment is likely to be worked on while energized.
Put your switch on the latch side of the door (the side that opens), no higher than 1200mm from floor level and 100mm from any door. In bedrooms, you could also install light switches at the side of the bed to provide easier access.
ANSWER: According to Section 240-24(d) of the National Electrical Code (NEC), which says “Overcurrent devices shall not be located in the vicinity of easily ignitable material, such as in clothes closets,” you are not permitted to do this.