Code Change Summary: New requirements added to address panelboard orientation.
Section 408.43 was initially added in the 2020 NEC® to provide mandatory language regarding panelboards installed in a face-up position.
These face-up panelboards are commonly seen installed in the bulkheads behind commercial washing machines in public laundromats and are often listed as a commercial appliance outlet center assembly which creates more confusion.
Installing a panelboard face-up is an invitation for lint, debris, and spilled liquids such as detergent or bleach to enter the enclosure through circuit breaker spaces and also makes it difficult to ensure safe working space is provided for the service electrician. Insufficient working space for a face-up panelboard installation can result in tools falling into the panelboard or the possibility of the worker losing their balance and falling into the panelboard.
In the 2023 NEC®, Section 408.43 was expanded and now panelboards are prohibited from being installed in either a face-up or face-down position.
Concerns were expressed about the ability to work safely overhead while laying, kneeling or standing on a ladder under a panelboard installed in a face-down position. In addition, escaping an arc blast would be even more difficult while working overhead underneath a panelboard mounted face-down.
During the 2023 development meetings, some felt that there should be some relief to allow listed commercial appliance outlet centers (that have a long-standing history of being constructed as an appliance bulkhead) to contain face-up panelboards. Bulkhead type commercial appliance centers are often found in commercial laundromats but are also common in assembly type occupancies such as hotels, convention centers, exhibition halls, casinos, gaming facilities and the like.
The final 2023 NEC® requirements for panelboard orientation resulted in the modified language in Section 408.43 prohibiting face-up or face-down panelboards for general panelboard installation applications. Additionally, new Section 518.5 was added which permits panelboards installed in listed commercial appliance centers to be face-up, but only for assembly type occupancies covered in Article 518. Laundromats are typically not assembly occupancies.
Below is a preview of the NEC®. See the actual NEC® text at NFPA.ORG for the complete code section. Once there, click on their link to free access to the 2023 NEC® edition of NFPA 70.
2020 Code Language:
408.43 Panelboard Orientation. Panelboards shall not be installed in the face-up position.
2023 Code Language:
408.43 Panelboard Orientation. Panelboards shall not be installed in the face-up or face-down position.
Based on the 2023 NEC, which of the following is true for general panelboard installations?
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