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Electrical Panel Height from Floor? (Complete Guide)

Are you trying to replace the electric panel in your home? Are you wondering what is the best location for placing the electrical panel?

Are you also wondering at which height your electrical panels should be mounted? Do you also find yourself wondering what factors will determine the best location for the electrical panel?

Electrical panel height from floor

It is essential to be aware of the electrical panel height from the floor precisely to eradicate any confusion. This is why you have to follow the national electrical code. Accordingly, according to the NEC, your electrical panel should be 6’7″ high from the floor onwards.

It is really important to know whether or not indoor electrical panel height and outdoor electrical panel height have a different complete guidelines.

Indoor electrical panel height: 

Your indoor electrical panel height requirement is provided by the national electrical code and you have to make sure that you have at least six feet of space available between the bottom of the electrical panel and the floor.

In addition, indoor electrical panels follow the general installing requirement for electrical panels. 

This means that you have to make sure your electrical panel has three feet of working space on either side and its doors can be opened at a 90-degree angle to get the proper placement height.

Outdoor electrical panel height:

When you are dealing with an outdoor electrical panel, you first need to consider the location of the outdoor electrical panel.

Accordingly, the location should be such that has less moisture, less humidity, less flammability, and so on. 

After you have found the general requirements for location, you need to make sure to follow the general or usual NEC guidelines for outdoor electrical panel height also. Accordingly, the height of the outdoor electrical panel should be 6′ to 6′ 7” away from the floor.

What is the NEC code for electrical panel height?

Your electrical panel height should always be maintained by the protocol of the national electrical code or NEC.

In addition, the national electrical code for electrical panel height always recommends maintaining sufficient clearance from the placement of the electrical panel.

Moreover, the height of the electrical panel should be in such a comfortable position that will leave a lot of working space for the electric panel.

Furthermore, the recommended height for the electrical panel by the national electrical code is to leave 6 feet 7 inches of space from the floor onwards as this will give the perfect working space.

In addition, the height of the electrical panel recommended by the national electrical code should be maintained in such a way that at least 30 inches of lateral working space are found within the vicinity of the electrical panel itself.

Moreover, the maximum height recommended by the national electrical code for electrical panel height is not more than 6 feet on average.

In addition, for the minimum height, you have to at least follow the height measurement of 4 feet from the ground onwards to place your electrical panel.

Accordingly, this placement will make sure that you are able to open your electrical panel box at a 90-degree angle without any hassle.

You should be placing your electrical panel in a well-ventilated area, a well-lit area, and so on. Moreover, as per the national electrical code, the voltage capacity can also determine the height of the electrical panel.

Accordingly, if your electrical panel happens to have a higher voltage capacity of more than 150 volts, then you should leave 36 to 48 inches of space from the floor or ground onwards.

In addition, if the voltage capacity is somewhere between 0 to 150 volts, then the height of the electrical panel will be different as it requires you to leave 36 inches of space from the ground.

How to install a new electrical panel at the proper height? 

It is really important to install a new electrical panel at the proper height and being knowledgeable about the proper height requirement mentioned by NEC is important in surpassing your confusion.

Gather all the equipment:

Whether you are installing an electrical panel yourself or hiring an electrician to do it, the first thing in installing a new electrical panel at a proper height is to make sure you have all the electrical equipment or tools ready at your disposal.

Determine the location:

The second thing that you need to do is to figure out the factors that are necessary to provide you with the best location for the placement of an electrical panel.

To do that, you need to maintain the guideline recommended by the national electrical code to find the proper location for the electrical panel.

Accordingly, you need to make sure you place your electrical panel in a non-flammable area, a free moisture area, and a less humid area.

Determine the proper height:

The last and most important thing to do is to install the new electrical panel at the proper height.

Accordingly, to get the proper height, you need to make sure you follow the NEC code requirements.

Therefore, you need to insert a new electrical panel in such a way that you have at least 6 feet 7 inches of space available from the floor onwards to the top of the electrical panel.

In addition, you also need to make sure there are at least three feet of space available as working space with the placement height of the electrical panel.

How to choose the best location for the electrical panel?

In the modern age, the need for electricity has skyrocketed. This is why placing an electrical panel in your house is more than essential.

You nevertheless should be placing your electrical panel in such a safe place that won’t cause any fire risk in your home. 

Accessibility:

One of the first things that you need to consider before choosing the best location for your electrical panel is the factor of accessibility.

This is because you need to make sure that your electrical panel is accessible to everyone when it is necessary.

This is why it is a must to make sure that your electrical panel is 6 feet 7 inches away from the floor onwards so that it can be reached by anyone.

The reason behind this is that you don’t want to be panicked about where your electric panel is in case of any emergencies.

Moreover, this is why it is best to make sure that you do not put your electric panel in a cramped space. Rather you should make sure not to put an electrical panel or breaker box in a small storage room, above the stairs, closets, and so on.

Placing electrical panels in storage, garage, utility rooms, basement, entryways, hallways, and so on are some of the best places.

Safety:

Another factor that will determine the best location for your electrical panel is related to the safety issue.

You do not want an electrical panel in such a place where it may create a safety risk. This is why it is better for you to place the electrical panel in such a place where there isn’t any moisture, high humidity, and so on.

In addition, this is why placing an electric panel in a bathroom will create a safety risk due to the moisture of the bathroom.

You cannot also put your electrical panel in any place where there can be a leakage or plumbing issue nearby.

It’s better to make sure any kind of furniture, doors, or any other obstruction isn’t blocking the electrical panel’s area otherwise it will be a great problem.

You also shouldn’t place the electrical panel in the cloth closet because clothes can be proven to be flammable which can again cause a fire risk.

In addition, another thing that you can do for making sure of safety, as well as the best location for your electrical panel, is related to being efficient by planning out electrical panel placement beforehand with the help of a certified electrician.

Utility:

The utility company is the one that usually determines what is the best location for electrical panels.

Accordingly, your preferred place for placing an electrical panel will not be sufficient especially if that placement poses a threat.

This is why you should be maintaining the protocol of the utility company and thus you should maintain a height of 6 foot 7 inches off of the ground for your electrical panel.

In addition, you should also make sure to provide 12 inches of space of clearance for the electrical panel.

Final Thoughts

You should always follow the national electrical code for determining the perfect height for your electrical panel. Therefore, you should at least leave 6’7″ of space from the floor to place your electrical panel. This placement will ensure that the electrical panels have enough working space.