I'm updating a 1950s 2/1 900SF home in South Carolina. The electrician suggests upgrading to a 200 electrical service entry with through the roof mast and relocate existing circuits into a single EXTERIOR 40-space 200-amp panel box with a main disconnect. The panel box is currently in a corner of the kitchen and the refrigerator is pulled away from the wall to allow access to it. In the future I may put a counter there or something. Guess you could put a small shelf under it for now to make use of the space. I don't see the problem with it, but the person who is moving into the home (a friend of mine) is freaking out over the panel box being relocated to the outside. I live in Wyoming and mine is outside so it didn't seem like a big deal to me and would give more options in an already very tiny kitchen. What are your thoughts on location of the panel box? Thanks.

Man, Im always learning something new about other markets. Ive never even conceived of the breakers being outside. Thats completely foreign to me.

@Tina S. I've gotta back up my friend @Matt P. here. In western Pennsylvania, upstate New York, and Rhode Island, the three places that I've lived in the USA, I've never seen a breaker box outside.

@Russell Brazil in just moved from Pa. to Florida and there are things here that you just dont think much about until you stop to think about them. We have outside electric panel, our water heater is outside, and it is very common to have the washer and dryer outside as well, under a covered porch.

@Will Gaston Probably because it's different everywhere. Here in Ohio it is standard practice for them to be located inside. IMO it would be unsettling to have it outside knowing all someone had to do was flip the main shut off out there and I have no power inside. I have always thought it was super weird to have them outside but apparently some places down south do it that way. I'm sure someone more knowledgeable than me about this will come on and explain why it's different everywhere lol.

Account Closed Exactly. I had one contractor that suggested moving it into the small bedroom closet. Sounded great but I now know that's not allowed so I'm going with the electrician I have more confidence in.

@Russell Brazil It’s not the norm, however still a common enough occurrence. On a home, it provides safer access for First Responders. Ripping out an electric meter while there is a load on it can cause more harm than good. It’s a lot safer for emergency personnel to open the panel door and switch off the main breaker. They make special products for exterior use in the electric industry, they are noticeable by the little roof on them(the top hangs over slightly to prevent water/dirt intrusion). They are also most commonly given the NEMA 3R designation. P.S. - I’m a big fan on your posts, Russell, they are always extremely thought out and informative. Definitely a must read on BP. Thank you for your contributions.

@Tina S. I would too if I wasn't familiar with it lol. My brother in law bought a house in Houston a few years ago, first I had heard of them being on the outside. My first thought then was, I sure wouldn't want to go out there in a rain storm to flip a breaker back on that popped!

does it matter where your electric panel box is?

Brian Ploszay

Investor · Chicago, IL · Member since 2009 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes

7y

For a 900 square foot home, a 200 amp electrical service is not needed.

The panel box in the corner of the kitchen in that location is less than ideal. I can't really comment unless I saw the house.

I've seen quite a few 1950s houses with panels in the kitchen. I was in one today. But the panel was safely away from any water access.

If this is a rental house, I wouldn't overinvest in moving the electrical panel.

The code in my city does not allow for exterior panel boxes.

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Account Closed

Contractor · San Diego, CA · Member since 2018 · 432 posts · 221 votes

7y

@Tina S. In CA we mainly have them outside. Back in the day, When I was young, I’m not a kid anymore but... this one day a kid went around the neighborhood turning people’s houses off for fun, so there are reasonable concerns there.

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Account Closed

Contractor · San Diego, CA · Member since 2018 · 432 posts · 221 votes

7y

@Tina S. You do typically have to have that 3.5' clearance for code compliance, and it is a good upgrade to 200 amp if you don't have propane or natural gas running stove, and dryer. I built a house in VA once where the electrician was "saving me money" by doing a 100amp and it didn't pass the inspection. Had to wire in 200amp. I've seen people lock the panels outside and that works.

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Christopher Bunge

Real Estate Broker · Columbia, SC · Member since 2015 · 148 posts · 110 votes

7y

Tina, since we sold you the house I may be biased but outside is fine. Many, many houses here are outside. Behind the fridge where it currently is won’t work but 200 amp seems like too much, even with a washer-dryer. It is odd that the panel was upgraded once yet they stuck the fridge in front if it.

I can’t imagine that it’d save much but 150 amp service seems like enough.

Unless adding a third bedroom/master bath in the future is a consideration. There is room enough to do that and then you’d have 200 amp service in place.

Maybe one more electrician’s opinion?

1 Reply

Robert S.

Contractor · Milltown, NJ · Member since 2016 · 297 posts · 213 votes

7y

@Tina S.

NEMA - National Electric Manufacturer Association

NEMA 3R is a standard for electrical equipment that allows the equipment to used outdoors.

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Stephen GallagherPro Member

Real Estate Agent · Hillsboro, NH · Member since 2019 · 80 posts · 54 votes

7y

Originally posted by @Christopher Bunge:

Tina, since we sold you the house I may be biased but outside is fine. Many, many houses here are outside. Behind the fridge where it currently is won’t work but 200 amp seems like too much, even with a washer-dryer. It is odd that the panel was upgraded once yet they stuck the fridge in front if it.

I can’t imagine that it’d save much but 150 amp service seems like enough.

Unless adding a third bedroom/master bath in the future is a consideration. There is room enough to do that and then you’d have 200 amp service in place.

Maybe one more electrician’s opinion?

@Christopher Bunge. The cost difference from 150 to 200 is negligible. The availability of 150 is becoming scarcer. In my region 100/200 are the norm.

1 Reply

Michael Noto

Real Estate Agent · Southington, CT · Member since 2008 · 5k+ posts · 3k+ votes

7y

It's crazy the things you find out on here about other parts of the country. I've never even heard of a breaker box being outside.

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David Oberlander

Investor · Valrico, FL · Member since 2011 · 17 posts · 17 votes

7y

Just did a quick price/availability check on Home Depot's website. My local store has 8 200 amp load centers priced cheaper than the cheapest 150 amp one. Indoor or outdoor and up to 64 circuits. So it's not the parts cost that's a concern, just the labor. Most panels don't have enough wire to be moved 2 feet further away. Running new wire is expensive. I'd find a way to move the refrigerator if that's possible.

If you use a licensed contractor, get permitted, and have it inspected your insurance company will be much happier.They'll have 2 people with deeper pockets to go after when someone gets fried playing with the panel while standing in water. LOL

Outdoor panels were the standard down here in Florida until about 15 years ago.

1 Reply

Joseph A.

New Rochelle, NY · Member since 2018 · 235 posts · 151 votes

7y

I saw an outside panel once on a flipping show and thought that's like a unicorn being that I've never seen one in person, I had no idea this was a common thing is some areas.

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Griffin Thomas

West Lebanon, NH · Member since 2017 · 21 posts · 6 votes

7y

Being from New England, I have never seen a panel outside!

Usually in the basement here.

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Account Closed

Rental Property Investor · Jacksonville, Florida Area · Member since 2016 · 106 posts · 48 votes

7y

@Tina S. From a security standpoint, it seems like it should be on the inside of the home. Having it outside means that ANYONE can cut the power off to the home.

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Tina S.

OP

Cheyenne, WY · Member since 2018 · 42 posts · 12 votes

7y

@Christopher Bunge Hi Chris!I talked to the electrician about the 200 amp because my father in law thought the same thing. But the price difference was so minuscule that it made sense to go with the 200.

I'm excited about the progress the house is making and you should come by and check it out after the new roof is put on hopefully next month.

If you find any similar houses let me know!

1 Reply

Tina S.

OP

Cheyenne, WY · Member since 2018 · 42 posts · 12 votes

7y

@Robert S. Thanks for the info: "NEMA 3R is a standard for electrical equipment that allows the equipment to used outdoors"

1 Reply

Jon Simpson

Berks County Blandon Pa · Member since 2018 · 24 posts · 5 votes

7y

I'm from Southern Calif. Always been outside.

Moved to New York was inside with the meter and gas meter.

Moved to PA. All the properties I have been have panel box inside...Been inside very old and new homes.

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Edwin Martinez

Rental Property Investor · Whittier, CA · Member since 2018 · 68 posts · 18 votes

7y

@Matt P.

Many of these outside panels and a door with lock so can add a lock to prevent tampering no big deal

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Daryl CampbellBusiness Member

Residential Real Estate Broker · Columbia, SC · Member since 2016 · 17 posts · 1 vote

7y

@Tina S. It’s not a big deal. They make breaker boxes made for the exterior.

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1 Reply

Tim Thorpe

Rental Property Investor · Gualala, CA · Member since 2018 · 13 posts · 8 votes

7y

@Tina S.

I am a lineman by trade and work on or around electrical panels on near a daily basis. The outdoor panel configuration you’re describing is actually the most common and very safe when professionally installed. Not sure why your friend has an issue with it but rest assured there’s nothing wrong with it.

3 Reply

Mark H.

Richmond, VA · Member since 2016 · 215 posts · 129 votes

7y

I've always had mine inside the garage or I'm a basement space. Last thing I want to be doing is standing outside in a rainstorm trying to flip a breaker.

0 Reply

John Lambert

Minneapolis, MN · Member since 2018 · 15 posts · 15 votes

7y

@Tina S. I have had rental townhouses in Minnesota that had the electrical box mounted outside.

0 Reply

Wesley Davis

Contractor · Asheville, NC · Member since 2017 · 51 posts · 29 votes

7y

@Tina S. For whatever reason, it’s not uncommon for panel boxes to be outside. Just put it in a place where it is easily accessible

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Christopher Bunge

Real Estate Broker · Columbia, SC · Member since 2015 · 148 posts · 110 votes

7y

Originally posted by @Tim Thorpe:

@Tina S.

I am a lineman by trade and work on or around electrical panels on near a daily basis. The outdoor panel configuration you’re describing is actually the most common and very safe when professionally installed. Not sure why your friend has an issue with it but rest assured there’s nothing wrong with it.

Tina, I know you are trying to do what's right for your friend/tenant but I am willing to bet Tim's experience with breaker boxes against hers. ;)

1 Reply

Brandon Ingegneri

Rental Property Investor · Providence, RI · Member since 2015 · 1k+ posts · 594 votes

7y

To be honest, in New England it is not common to see them outside. You may see a large disconnect on the exterior near the meters, but the panels are typically located inside of the house. I'd recommend just making sure it installed in accordance with electrical code.

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does it matter where your electric panel box is?

does it matter where your electric panel box is?

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