Move Breaker Panel to Crawl Space from Basement

1051 Views 14 Replies 9 Participants Last post by Missouri Bound, Jun 8, 2020

jdrock300

Discussion Starter · Jun 1, 2020

Hey all! New guy here but I’m big on DIY! I’m getting ready to build out our basement here in North Carolina!
I have a breaker sub panel in our basement that I want to move to our crawl space. There is plenty of cable coming to it already to move it where I’d like to in the crawl space.

Question is, am I allowed to do this? Are there any stipulations that prevent me? The crawl space is 7ft high in most areas. I’ve heard that 6.5’ of space is technically needed for code.

I want to eliminate the panel from my basement so I can build out my Theater Room in designing for it.

Any help would be appreciated!!! Thank you!

1 - 15 of 15 Posts

dj3

· #2 · Jun 2, 2020

Consult a licensed electrician in your city.
In my city, the power company would want to know who your electrician is - they don't deal with homeowners or DIYers for moving panels.
They will ask you for his card,
The reason: They have to disconnect the supply cable, and re-connect it after inspecting the work.
Now, you may be able to find an electrician who will let you do all the work, then look it over, and if it's OK, call the power Co to re-connect - for a reduced fee.

brric

· #3 · Jun 2, 2020

Why would you need to consult the power company to move a sub-panel?

Reactions: 3

Jim Port

· #4 · Jun 2, 2020

The power company stops at the meter. They have no say over a distribution panel location.

Reactions: 2

jdrock300

Discussion Starter · #5 · Jun 2, 2020

Here you can DIY all your electrical. No need for an actual electrician.
When I got my permit for the basement/crawl space originally I asked if I needed to use licensed contractors for the plumbing or electrical, they said no as long as it passed our codes when it comes to inspection time.

dj3 said:
Consult a licensed electrician in your city.
In my city, the power company would want to know who your electrician is - they don't deal with homeowners or DIYers for moving panels.
They will ask you for his card,
The reason: They have to disconnect the supply cable, and re-connect it after inspecting the work.
Now, you may be able to find an electrician who will let you do all the work, then look it over, and if it's OK, call the power Co to re-connect - for a reduced fee.

HandyAndyInNC

· #6 · Jun 2, 2020

I am also in NC. I re-wired and re-plumbed our house and build, plumb and wire a new workshop. In Surry County NC the home owner is allowed to do any/all kind of work, but it does have to be inspected. I would never do anything without a permit and an inspection.

jdrock300

Discussion Starter · #7 · Jun 2, 2020

Yup, same here in Fletcher, NC.

Just needs to be permitted and inspected.

HandyAndyInNC said:
I am also in NC. I re-wired and re-plumbed our house and build, plumb and wire a new workshop. In Surry County NC the home owner is allowed to do any/all kind of work, but it does have to be inspected. I would never do anything without a permit and an inspection.

HandyAndyInNC

· #8 · Jun 2, 2020

I also have many years of Commercial and Industrial Electrical work experience. Many years of Residential experience helped me also. I go above and beyond the minimal requirements. Lay out on paper first, and then do the work. Proper planning will pay great rewards.

Colbyt

· #9 · Jun 2, 2020

jdrock300 said:
Question is, am I allowed to do this? Are there any stipulations that prevent me? The crawl space is 7ft high in most areas. I’ve heard that 6.5’ of space is technically needed for code.

The last time I looked it was readily available, 3' in front and 6'6" height at the box location.

jdrock300

Discussion Starter · #10 · Jun 2, 2020

Yeah I’ve seen the 3ft in front rule here. So the entire height of the room only needs to be 6’6”? Where I want it there’s 7’ from the ground of the crawl space to the bottom joists of the floor.

Colbyt said:
jdrock300 said:

Question is, am I allowed to do this? Are there any stipulations that prevent me? The crawl space is 7ft high in most areas. I’ve heard that 6.5’ of space is technically needed for code.

Click to expand...

The last time I looked it was readily available, 3' in front and 6'6" height at the box location.

Colbyt

· #11 · Jun 2, 2020

It sound to me like you are fine but if you are having it inspected it is best to ask the local inspector.

Oldmaster

· #12 · Jun 3, 2020

Some crawl spaces are damp which could be a concern. Also access could be an issue. The 6 1/2 ft. Ft rule doesn't apply in your situation.

Reactions: 1

RST

· #13 · Jun 3, 2020

Are you sure all circuits have enough wire to reach the new location? If not, you'll have to put a junction box there to extend the circuits to the new panel location. Junction boxes must remain accessible; you can't bury them in the wall.

But of course that box can be a lot smaller than a panel.

jdrock300

Discussion Starter · #14 · Jun 7, 2020

Yup! Actually the basement panel is going to be completely redone anyway. The only two wires I’m worried about with length is the main trunk coming from the main panel in the garage and the AC breaker that’s on the basement panel. Where I’m moving the panel is actually closer to both those lines so I’m good there. All the other lines I’m yanking out and redoing. Basically some lights and my network panel that are currently hooked into this panel and I have new plans for all those runs.

Sounds like I should be ok to do this. I have a permit pulled already. Just gotta do it now.

RST said:
Are you sure all circuits have enough wire to reach the new location? If not, you'll have to put a junction box there to extend the circuits to the new panel location. Junction boxes must remain accessible; you can't bury them in the wall.

But of course that box can be a lot smaller than a panel.

Missouri Bound

· #15 · Jun 8, 2020

jdrock300 said:
I have a breaker sub panel in our basement that I want to move to our crawl space.

I doubt the electrical code would allow that. There are specifications for access that you may not meet in that location. Better get the AHJ involved before you start.

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