Height of Panels and Working Space Around Panels 2023 NEC 404.8(A) and 110.26

[@garydudgeon]

Another really good explanation with code documentation Sparky. Great video.

[@SparkyChannel]

Thanks Gary! I've had some time off to take care of some things. How have you been?

[@garydudgeon]

I am doing good but had been missing videos...best wishes to you.​@@SparkyChannel

[@SparkyChannel]

@@garydudgeon Great to hear! I'll try to make more. :)

[@josemancia3689]

Definitely the grandfather I needed . I learned a lot from your videos , I would like to become a great electrician work in parallel with the codes , safety and professional

[@SparkyChannel]

Excellent! I'm sure you will!

[@claytonkeeney8911]

You haven't done a video in a while Good to see you back, always enjoy

[@SparkyChannel]

Good to be back, thanks!

[@Bluesman57]

Glad to see you back, another great video.

[@SparkyChannel]

Good to be back. Thanks so much!

[@vince6829]

Good information. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

[@SparkyChannel]

My pleasure, thanks!

[@Shon-z7w]

Love you channel buddy! 👍

[@SparkyChannel]

Great to hear, thanks!

[@MattHmm-rq6dn]

Thanks for comming back and sharing your knowledge. Yeah I'm 6'4 myself and some of these boxes I work on I use a rolling mechanics stool there so low. I would laugh at a box that height and probably enjoy the idea of working on my toes for a few minutes. Way to make us think 🤔. As they always say I know what it is when I see it and when it's wrong but I can't explain it.

[@SparkyChannel]

Thanks!

[@Eddy63]

Good info & good vid ... Thx Bill

[@SparkyChannel]

Hi Eddy! Great to hear from you!

[@CapnTeaBag]

Sparky kind of reminds me of Scotty Kilmer! Thank you for a great video.

[@SparkyChannel]

Thanks so much!

[@ForensicCats]

Way to go Sparky, keep going buddy.

[@SparkyChannel]

Thanks so much!

[@rezzle2457]

Thanks Sparky , your videos are very informative and helpful!

[@SparkyChannel]

Great to hear, thanks!

[@JohnTarbox]

This is an excellent video!

[@SparkyChannel]

Thanks so much John!

[@williamrucki9293]

Good stuff.

[@SparkyChannel]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@glasshalffull2930]

Good to see you!

[@SparkyChannel]

Hey, thanks!

[@wingman8447]

Good info. Good to see ya

[@SparkyChannel]

Thanks, you too!

[@hashimsalim2665]

great

[@SparkyChannel]

Thanks!

[@donl1410]

Well done video, my friend.

[@SparkyChannel]

HI Don! That's a great compliment, thanks!

[@kellyobrien6436]

Spaky, at 4:10 "enhanced comment" . "Regardless of the width of the electrical..........ect..". Exactly where can I find this 'enhanced content' ? Sounded like you said "2023 AC handbook"? Looking everywhere but to no avail. Thanks for all your help. P.S. I have the new 2023 NEC 70 code book, and the 2023 NEC Applied Codeology books, but don't see it anywhere in there.

[@SparkyChannel]

Hi Kelly. Yes, "enhanced comment" usually refers to the latest handbook, which for us right now is the 2023 handbook. The enhanced comments are usually written in blue and are not found in the regular code book.

[@MyGoogleYoutube]

Thanks for the video! Where would I look in the NEC code for installing a critical load panel next to our main panel? The critical load panel would be for a solar/battery install.

[@kenbrown2808]

you should tell your friend that most panel manufacturers make keylocks for their covers. I'm reminded of some of the bad panel locations I've worked in where there was no possible remediation, including one subpanel in a 30 inch deep crawlspace.

[@SparkyChannel]

Hi Ken! 110.26 (at 6:35) says a minimum of 6 1/2' of headroom is needed for a panel, so that is just one reason why a crawl space wouldn't work. That's amazing! Hope you've been well!

[@kenbrown2808]

@SparkyChannel well, when i was lying on my side replacing it, there was over 6 feet 6. Things have been going well, here. Busier than a one armed paperhanger, though.

[@SparkyChannel]

@@kenbrown2808 LOL!

[@deadmanswife3625]

Wait till 2024 when they decide shoulder width of the average American has now broadened to 60 in LOL Seriously thank you Sparky

[@SparkyChannel]

LOL! Yes, but the homeowners will probably still put an upside-down plastic Xmas tree in front of the panel. LOL! (see 6:09)

[@RJ-ej1nr]

Hi Sparky, love the video! Do you get inspection issues when you do something like this high panel that's ok by code, but not the local practice? Usual here is 5'9" and I don't expect issues with higher if there's a reason. However, if an exterior resi panel is out of the blue, 9" higher, depending on who shows up, I'm worried about hearing stories of nearby 4'9" grandmothers and "well if you want to get it done today..."

[@SparkyChannel]

I haven't heard of cases where state codes modify this particular code. However, perhaps people from other states will chime in and let us know. Thanks!

[@RJ-ej1nr]

@@SparkyChannel To be clear, I haven't had a problem with this specific code, they're just all around 5'9", they look right about there and why do something different if not needed. However, I have had problems in other areas were the design approver was fine, but the on-site approver was not, prior approval notwithstanding. You are there wanting to finish a job then, and that new approver is great at coming up with semi-justifiable grounds (say hypothetically for the switch height case "the ground could erode a few inches and now you'll be too high"), and sure you can fight it but then the sign off isn't coming today and the day is wasted.

[@SparkyChannel]

@@RJ-ej1nr I see. Every now and then that can happen, I understand.

[@RH17]

Don't worry about any what ifs. Remember one thing, any AHJ must only ensure that intent of the code and minimum compliance is met. If someone wants to enforce their own methods as well as own wishes then they are simply ignorant of what their job entails or worse.... Politely get their supervisor which typically should pass any job that meets the code unless you are in some incompetent or corrupt city or county.

[@RJ-ej1nr]

@@RH17 It's not that someone makes up code, they will give you grounds. Still the code does have subjective areas you can drive a neat and workmanlike truck through (professional and skillful truck if it's a 2023 or later model), and there's more than just that truck. On pulling in a supe, that's tricky. Their tendency is to back up their staff. You are likely to see that person again, and they can make your life easy or difficult. Recent example, had something flagged, needed an hour to fix, and inspector said he'd come by again after his others. He would have been within his authority to ask to reschedule, which would push it out days.

[@tedmcdonald3377]

There he is 😎⚒️😎⚒️😎

[@SparkyChannel]

Hi Ted! I hope you have been well!

[@tedmcdonald3377]

@@SparkyChannel I have Bill, glad to see you're back💪💪💪

[@SparkyChannel]

@@tedmcdonald3377 Great to hear!

[@deadmanswife3625]

Hi Sparky I just wanted to let you know that your new video about the combination Breakers you asked us to talk to you about the prices Like Home Depot $66 Amazon 45 and so forth. But your comments are inadvertently disabled. Just letting you know❤

[@SparkyChannel]

Thanks! I just checked, and yes, the comments were turned off. Oops! I turned the comments on. I'm not sure how that happened, but thanks again!

[@deadmanswife3625]

@@SparkyChannel sure thing ❤❤ by the way I misspelled your and I edited it to correct it

[@SparkyChannel]

@@deadmanswife3625 I was wondering why the video wasn't getting any comments. LOL!

[@MrTooTechnical]

Fuking awesome

[@SparkyChannel]

Hi Dave!

[@MrTooTechnical]

Hi

[@seanstrickley3992]

The main disconnect is not to be over 6ft 7 inches so this is ok to do cause its a mlo. What is the minimum lowest distance now 😂 lol trick question nec dont have a minimum lowest for panels

[@SparkyChannel]

For other viewers: (mlo= main lug only panel). Yes, no minimum lowest height is mentioned.

[@LogisticallyMisrepresented]

Higher. There could be a flood. Safety first.

[@SparkyChannel]

LOL! I wanted to show the upper limit code wise. :)

[@keithwingo514]

Why is the 30" going to the center of the other panels? Seems arbitrary.

[@SparkyChannel]

It is arbitrary, I think you are correct.

[@DIYPinoyTeknisyanOfficial]

Watching From Philippines ❤

[@SparkyChannel]

Cheers from San Diego!

[@geneinman4488]

Hey ! Don’t be touching those lugs with your fingers ?? Regardless if power is on or off ! Or even getting close to the lugs ! Use a plastic stick for demonstration, teach safety first .

[@SparkyChannel]

I agree with you. Setting a good example even when no power at all is coming to the unit is important. Good comment, thanks!

[@JimmyD-ry1fb]

I like this 👌 ty

[@SparkyChannel]

My pleasure, thanks!