Change Summary

• New section added to prohibit panelboards from being installed in a face-up position.

Expert Analysis

A new 408.43 was added to Article 408 that will now prohibit a panelboard to be installed in the face-up position. This new prohibition was a result of a laundry bulkhead that was a listed assembly under UL Product Spec category AUUZ [(Appliance Outlet Centers)Commercial Appliance Outlet Centers]. The electrical panelboard was installed in a face up position at 1.37m (54 in.) above the floor. The mounting of an electrical panelboard in a face up position does not provide a safe working environment necessary for electrical safety of installers/maintainers when servicing the panelboard. The likelihood for contaminants accumulating on the overcurrent devices and panelboard bussing is increased significantly, creating a hazard. Section 240.81 tells the user of the Code that circuit breakers are required to clearly indicate whether they are in the open “off” or closed “on” position and where circuit breaker handles are operated vertically rather than rotationally or horizontally, the “up” position of the handle is required to be the “on” position. This would also be in issue this circuit breakers installed in a panelboard mounted in the face-up position.