[dtsinc]

Can a 200 amp panel be installed upside down, so the main breaker is on the bottom? The reason is because the feeders come in the bottom, and this would make the shortest (cleanest) connection.

Thank you for your input!

 

[480sparky]

If the breaker operates vertically, you may have a problem with 240.81, which requires "Up" to be "On and "Down" to be "Off". [240.81]

Otherwise, as long as none of the breakers are above 6'7". [240.24(A)]

 

[dtsinc]

All of the breakers will still operate horizontally. Thanks!

 

[Magnettica]

Do you mean like this? To me this is upside down but I don't know if this ever passed inspection. Not sure if there is an issue here or not.

 

[bwalley]

Do you mean like this? To me this is upside down but I don't know if this ever passed inspection. Not sure if there is an issue here or not.

Doesn't that need a Main Breaker inside the panel?

 

[480sparky]

Doesn't that need a Main Breaker inside the panel?

Not if there's a properly-sized breaker protecting the cable feeding it.

What I don't see, but I assume is there, is a grounding conductor and ground bar.

 

[bwalley]

Not if there's a properly-sized breaker protecting the cable feeding it.

What I don't see, but I assume is there, is a grounding conductor and ground bar.

It was my understanding if it took more than six movements to turn off everything in the panel, it would need a main breaker.

 

[480sparky]

It was my understanding if it took more than six movements to turn off everything in the panel, it would need a main breaker.

That only applies to the main service. If there is a breaker feeding the cable for this panel elsewhere, it is then a subpanel and does not require a main.

 

[Celtic]

What I don't see, but I assume is there, is a grounding conductor and ground bar.

look closely on the right hand side for the bar ~ you can see the ends of the grounds pointing towards the bus....at the bottom you can see the grounding conductor heading to the right [bar] as well.

 

[macmikeman]

One practicle problem I can think of when load centers get flipped upside down is some brands (GE for sure) have circuit numbers stamped into the cover steel. So you get to look at upside down numbers. No big deal in my book, but probably some code guru somewhere wouldn't allow it. Crouse Hinds BR panels are no problem at all when flipped over, but for me they have lost all my business due to combo ark fault breakers that trip out for zero reason.

 

[woodchuck2]

I have only installed one sub-panel upside down due to lack of wire "previously run by owner" and my inspector had no problems with it. It was a 20slot Square-D if that matters.

 

[480sparky]

One practicle problem I can think of when load centers get flipped upside down is some brands (GE for sure) have circuit numbers stamped into the cover steel. So you get to look at upside down numbers. No big deal in my book, but probably some code guru somewhere wouldn't allow it. Crouse Hinds BR panels are no problem at all when flipped over, but for me they have lost all my business due to combo ark fault breakers that trip out for zero reason.

Numbers are not required. You can use whatever scheme you desire. Letters, Alphanumric, Binary codes..... whatever trips your trigger. The panel only needs to be labeled to show the load served. 408.4

 

[Celtic]

Numbers are not required. You can use whatever scheme you desire. Letters, Alphanumric, Binary codes..... whatever trips your trigger. The panel only needs to be labeled to show the load served. 408.4

I recommend braille :thumbup:

 

[dtsinc]

Thanks for all your input, my panel would look like the picture, except with a main breaker on the bottom. The box is Square D, I believe the cover can be put on either way, so I don't think labeling will be an issue at all. I set the panel height at 6 feet. I think i'm good to go. Thanks again!

 

[Bubbles]

upside down

I just got turned down for that a few months ago. First time ever tried and I got geeked. Breaker has to be on in up position. Somewhere in code. I think it's for firefighters mainly. Is there a code guru on here that knows where it is?

 

[Bubbles]

left/right

Oops. Didnt see that til after post 480. Thanks. I think there is a left right code as well. I'll look in 240 later.

 

[480sparky]

i just got turned down for that a few months ago. First time ever tried and i got geeked. Breaker has to be on in up position. Somewhere in code. I think it's for firefighters mainly. Is there a code guru on here that knows where it is?

240.81.

 

[JohnJ0906]

Most load centers with main breakers (that I am aware of) are designed so they can be installed either way. I don't really think of either way as "right side up" or "upside down".

 

[Magnettica]

The nice thing about Square D is that buss bars are interchangeable with some panels. I had to do that once because the stupid boss ordered the wrong material, go figure.

 

[kbsparky]

If you are using a square D panel, the mains are mounted horizontally, so bottom feed is fine.

Look closely, the word "Line" should be stamped near the main, both right side up and up side down.

Other brands, such as Cutler-Hammer also utilize horizontally oriented mains, allowing for top feed and bottom feed applications. :whistling