[MrWillys]

Originally Posted by lvoc

First off it is not really true. I see breaker boxes all sorts of places...I do see the main electrical cutoff being with the meter. And meter location in residential housing is generally specified by the supplying utility as an external wall.

Past that however a thousand flowers bloom. My home has main panel on the garage external wall and sub panels on the garage interior and the swimming pool equipment enclosure.

Saw a big house with a simple disconnect at the meter and a half dozen panels mounted elsewhere including a big one in the master bedroom study.

I would think they are driven to the external location by the meters. Meter location is driven by the pwer company.

They are in no way even remotely water proof...though they are shielded from direct exposure.

I said typically???? Hello, anybody home? Do people typically live in homes with multiple sub panels? I don't, do you? Sub panels can be installed on garage walls without suedo rated walls only if the rated wall extends to the underside of the roof sheathing. Opps, we forgot about 2 storys where the walls are all drywalled? It's just easier to do it one way problem solved.

It's possible that you live in an area that still has common sense and not run away with the intent of the code.

[vtvette]

Originally Posted by MrWillys

I said typically???? Hello, anybody home? Do people typically live in homes with multiple sub panels? I don't, do you?

Yes he does.

He stated "My home has main panel on the garage external wall and sub panels on the garage interior and the swimming pool equipment enclosure"

Did you read his post?

Multiple panels are not at all uncommon. We have them as a result of an addition added as well as pool equipment.

[MadManofBethesda]

Originally Posted by MrWillys

Geez, I have too go outside and wipe the snow off my satellite dish, but not once did I have to go outside to reset a breaker. You people don't understand all that goes into this. If you're tripping breaker you have a problem and should call an electrical contractor to fix your overloading issue.

If your panel is in a basement most likely you're in an older home, or I just don't understand the East.

LOL.

Well, apparently, you also fall into the category of "you people."

You don't understand why everyone in the East has the panel inside the house or garage, and everyone from the East doesn't understand why it's placed on an outside wall in the West. I'm not debating which is better, I just wanted to know the rationale for why it is done differently depending upon where in the country you live. And so far, no one - - not even you - - has been able to answer that difinitively.

[latin_racer]

My old KB home built in 2002 had it inside the garage.

[MrWillys]

Originally Posted by MadManofBethesda

LOL.

Well, apparently, you also fall into the category of "you people."

You don't understand why everyone in the East has the panel inside the house or garage, and everyone from the East doesn't understand why it's placed on an outside wall in the West. I'm not debating which is better, I just wanted to know the rationale for why it is done differently depending upon where in the country you live. And so far, no one - - not even you - - has been able to answer that difinitively.

I do realize building code is difficult for some.

[MrWillys]

Originally Posted by latin_racer

My old KB home built in 2002 had it inside the garage.

My home here in Northern Nevada built in 2002 does have it on the exterior.

[MrWillys]

The code is nationwide, and is really not very different now. It was regional 10 or so years ago.

Exterior panels have solved numerous issues of penetrating a rated membrane, and solved additional costs of clearance issues required at the panels themselves. Maybe next time you're in Vegas you can go to the building department and ask why?

[bayview6]

The main panel is outside homes in Vegas because of hardly any snow, it's cheaper for the builders, and the fire dept can get to it quickly.

[lvoc]

I am still somewhat skeptical that meter and entry point is driven by anyone other than the power company. They have a simple tool - If you do not put it where they want it they won't provide power.

Quick check says that is the case on Long Island and northern NJ. We had an external meter in Rochester though I do not remember where the panel was.

I suspect you can put the panel wherever...but it is cheapest by the meter.

[Annie53]

Meter on the outside......breaker box on the inside.

That is the RIGHT way to do it!