Design Tips
  • Tip #1
  • Electrical panelboards are an integral part of a building's electrical system. They contain circuit breakers that protect wiring serving equipment, lighting, and receptacles. The panel needs to be somewhat accessible to be able to shut off these circuits for maintenance, additions, or an emergency. Or, if a circuit breaker does activtate and shut off a circuit, it can be reset after investigating the cause of the problem.
  • These panels in commercial settings vary in size. Those located in electrical rooms can be up to four feet tall, three feet deep, and as wide as the room. Those that can be located out in the occupied space are typically 24 inces wide, 5 1/2 inches deep and up to 48 inches tall. So, if they are not located on wall surfaces, in electrical closets, or other rooms and need to be flush-mounted in walls, this wall needs to accommodate the 5 1/2 inch depth. A typical 3 1/2 inch stud wall will leave part of the panel exposed and some modification to the wall or trim will need to occur.
  • In residential settings, such as apartments, electrical panels are of a more diminutive size. These panels are made to fit within a typical 3 1/2 inch wall between 16 inch on center studs.
  • In both of the cases, there needs to be a space at least 36 inches clear in front of the panel and a 30 inch width. Also, no pipes or ducts can be routed over these panels. These are Code requirements.
  • So, as floor plans are formulated, it is important for a well coordinated project that if electrical panels have to be out in the occupied space, adequate room be left within the wall and around the panel.