Electrical switches panel in the basement

3/20/2019 at 4:57:53 PM

There must be 1 metre of working space around the electrical panel.

3/21/2019 at 12:52:16 AM

You require 3 feet of clear space in front of the panel.

Rule 2-308.

Ontario Electrical Safety Code 26th Edition/2015

code does require that 1 m of clear working space with secure footing be provided and maintained about electrical equipment such as panel boards. This is interpreted as meaning a space that is 1 m in depth and at least the width of the panel board or 1 m, whichever is greater. The panel board does not have to be centered in the width of the working space, it can be off center. A sink cannot be located within this working space.

Hope this clarifies any concerns you may have.

3/25/2019 at 3:25:30 AM

There are entire sections of the electrical code related to the location and maintenance of the electrical panel(s). Primarily they cannot be in an undesirable location which the code specifies such as a closet, cabinet, stairway, etc. They must have a certain amount of headroom and must have a clearance around them.

Often in basements we see laundry equipment located close to or in front of the panel, which is OK because you can move them out of the way. What is not required is permanent fixtures such as a stove, furnace, sinks, shelving, etc in front of the panel that cannot be easily moved or restrict the access to the panel in case of an emergency.

Cheers

John Kuehnl-Cadwell

Master Electrician

Datawise Solutions Inc