When putting the electrical panel in your house, you must think about safety. You might know that the electrical panel should be in a place you can find easily in an emergency.
Sometimes, the construction of the building inspires you to put the electrical panel in the kitchen.
But you might be confused about whether you can install the electrical panel in the kitchen or not.
Well, you must know about the safety and accessibility of the electrical panel. Moreover, learning about the suitable place to install the electrical panel is also essential.
Electrical panel in kitchen:
You should not put an electrical panel in kitchen. Generally, the kitchen is a place near a fire. An electrical panel must be away from fire or flammable materials. Moreover, the kitchen contains water and moisture contents. Water and moisture are also not safe near the electrical panel.
However, several reasons are why you can’t install an electrical panel in the kitchen. Generally, an electrical panel should be in a cabinet. Moreover, the electrical panel must have clearance on both sides.
According to the National Electrical Code (NEC), an electrical panel should avoid flammable materials. That means the electrical panel should be away from the fire source also. A kitchen is a place containing fire and heat sources.
Moreover, the kitchen doesn’t have a too large area to install an electrical panel. So, you will not get enough space when you want to keep a clearance according to the NEC code. So, the electrical panel will be congested and unsafe.
Another critical issue is the water in the kitchen. Generally, the kitchen contains a water supply system. When working in the kitchen, the use of water is a must. So, installing the electrical panel in the kitchen will be near a water source.
Moreover, the steam from cooking and the moisture content will also affect the electrical panel. You might think to cover the electrical panel to avoid moisture. But moisture can still get into the electrical panel.
Besides, a massive amount of heat is produced from the kitchen. If you put an electrical panel in the kitchen, it will get the heat continuously. So, putting an electrical panel is not safe in the kitchen.
Humidity in the kitchen is another issue. Generally, humidity in the kitchen is in more significant amounts than in other places in our house. So, putting the electrical panel in the kitchen will not be wise.
Code for the electrical panel in the kitchen:
Generally, keeping an electrical panel in the kitchen is not recommended. A lot of issues are associated with the electrical panel in the kitchen. But if you still want to put an electrical panel in the kitchen, you must follow some rules and regulations.
Generally, the local electrical authority imposes some codes for installing an electrical panel in the house. The National Electrical Code (NEC) has set codes for installing the panel.
When you install an electrical code in the kitchen, you must keep a clearance of 3 feet in front of the panel.
Moreover, you must keep a clearance of 30 inches from left to right in front of the panel.
Also, around the panel, there must be at least 6 feet 7 inches of headroom, measured from the floor to ceiling. So, the main breaker should not exceed 6 feet 7 inches above the floor.
These measurements are the code for putting the electrical panel in the kitchen. Moreover, the panel should not be near any obstacle. These measurements are hard to keep in the kitchen. So, putting an electrical panel in the kitchen is not encouraged.
Can an electrical panel be in a pantry or near a sink?
An electrical panel should not be in a pantry or near a sink. Generally, an electrical panel should be in a place that is easily accessible in an emergency.
Moreover, the electrical panel must have clearances from one side to another. Besides, the panel must be away from the water source.
However, when you put an electrical panel in a pantry, it will be congested. The pantry has a lot of things. So, the electrical panel will have a lot of obstacles around it. Moreover, you can hardly find a clearance space in the pantry.
On the other hand, the sink contains water. When you use a sink, it splashes water around also. An electrical panel is prohibited from keeping around a water source. So, if you put an electrical panel near the sink, water can splash on the panel.
You might know that the electrical panel must have a clearance from other things or obstacles. But if you put the panel near a sink, the clearance requirement will not be fulfilled. Moreover, the water source is a big issue.
Following the NEC code is a must wherever you put the electrical panel. Otherwise, the electrical panel will be in an unsafe place. That’s why you should not install an electrical panel in the pantry or near the sink.
Best location for the electrical panel in the kitchen:
If you don’t have other options, you have to put the electrical panel in the kitchen. But you must not install it in random places in your kitchen. So, let’s see some suitable locations for the electrical panel in the kitchen.
4 feet above the floor:
When you put an electrical panel in the kitchen, you must install it at least 4 feet above the floor. But remember that the panel should not be above 6 feet from the ground. So, you can keep the height of the electrical panel from 4 to 6 feet from the floor.
From this height, the electrician can work efficiently. Moreover, you can reach this height easily and quickly in an emergency.
Separate cabinet:
You can also make an extra cabinet that will preserve the electrical panel. But while making the cabinet, you must follow the clearance of the electrical panel. For example, you must keep at least 3 feet of clearance in front of the panel.
Moreover, you have to keep 30 inches from the left side to the right side of the panel. So, you have to install the electrical panel in the kitchen where you can find a space.
Cover of the panel:
You can also place the electrical panel in an area you can cover. You can use different safe covers on the electrical panel.
The covers are available in the market. Moreover, you can make the cover DIY. You can also add antique accessories to cover the panel. But make sure to use safe materials.
Do not install an electrical panel in these places:
Now that you know you can’t put an electrical panel in random places, you might want to know the places you should avoid. Because the electrical panel is one of the sensitive panels. So, let’s see where you should not install an electrical panel.
In the pantry:
You must not place an electrical panel in the pantry. According to the electrical panel code, you should not place the electrical panel in small storage rooms like the pantry. Because the electrical panel should be in a place with a minimum clearance of 3 feet.
Moreover, the panel should be away from any obstacles. So, if you keep the panel in the pantry, the panel will be in a crowded place. So you must avoid the pantry to put an electrical panel.
Near sink:
An electrical panel should be installed away from any water source. A sink contains water all the time.
Moreover, if you put the panel near the sink, water can splash on the electrical panel. This situation can be harmful. So, you must keep the electrical panel away from the sink.
Near the burner:
It would be best if you did not put an electrical panel near the burner. Because an electrical panel must be kept from any fire and heat source.
Moreover, the panel should be away from flammable materials. So, keeping an electrical panel near the burner can be very dangerous.
Near bathroom:
You should also not put the electrical panel near the bathroom. Because you can’t keep the clearance around the panel.
A bathroom generally doesn’t have a too large area. Moreover, the bathroom can be a source of water. So, you must not put an electrical panel in the bathroom.
Final Thoughts
An electrical panel should not be placed in the kitchen. A kitchen is a pretty heated area. Moreover, humidity is more in the kitchen than in other areas. The kitchen has a water source and a small space for keeping an electrical panel. You should not put an electrical panel in the kitchen.