Hard Wiring Your Panel???

mcboogie · Joined: 12 Apr 2015 Posts: 11 Location: Allentown, Pa

Well, I finally got an electrician in to tell him how I want a 50A breaker put in and where I wanted the outlet. He then asked me if I wanted to hard wire it, which brings me to my question. Is it ok to hard wire the panel?? I don't plain on moving my brewery. He said it would be a little cheaper. Just wanted to get everyone or anyone's opinion.... Kal. Also, any pros or cons. I appreciate as always.

silverspoons · Joined: 21 Dec 2010 Posts: 555 Location: Webster NY

Depending on where you live, a hard wired panel could be subject to electrical codes. If you "plug " the panel in its considered an appliance.

Silverspoons

**kal** · Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2017 8:59 pm Post subject:

Silverspoons is correct. If you hardwire then the panel becomes part of the electrical grid of the house/building. We usually don't recommend hardwiring. Talk to your inspector and/or electrician to find out the consequences of hardwiring.

Kal

itsnotrequired · Joined: 15 Sep 2015 Posts: 177 Location: central wi

just because something is plugged in doesn't mean it is a free for all. after all, an electric stove is considered an appliance and these are hard-wired all the time. the nec definition of an appliance makes no mention of having to be cord connected. that being said, a receptacle could be used for a great many different pieces of utilization equipment so the rules for the receptacle installation itself are pretty straight-forward. it is what gets plugged into it that becomes the rub.

the nec is not geared toward homemade or hobbyist pieces of electrical equipment, which is basically what an electric control panel is (unless you buy a fancy ul listed panel). if your house burns down because your homemade panel is faulty, there is a chance your insurance company could deny a claim. now this chance is small but it is there. whether it is hard-wired or cord-connected is irrelevant. now if this work is getting inspected, i would go with the receptacle because the inspector doesn't know what you are plugging in. could be an electric clothes dryer, an electric welder, who knows. if the inspector comes in and sees the panel, there could be questions.

so long story short: getting an inspection, go receptacle. no inspection, go either way. and you really are showing your cards if you have the inspector come out and see your panel. if he signs off, you are all set from an insurance standpoint. if he denys, now you are sort of screwed, as your installation would directly contradict an authority having jurisdiction. that's my $0.02.

dp Brewing Company · Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2017 2:52 pm Post subject:

Mine is hardwired and I'm very happy with that decision.

Tungsten · Joined: 06 Dec 2014 Posts: 318 Location: Buffalo, NY

dp Brewing Company · Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2017 5:46 pm Post subject:

GAParkins · Joined: 07 Jan 2016 Posts: 29 Location: South Florida

If it remains cord-connected to a 50A outlet at your subpanel, then you can negate the risk (as far as your insurance company is concerned) of leaving an unlisted appliance attached to your house's electrical system full-time. An added benefit is that you have an accessible 50A outlet, which might open the door for all manner of interesting kit like MIG/TIG welders, a big air compressor, etc.

JSB · Joined: 17 Oct 2016 Posts: 125 Location: NE Ohio

mcboogie · Joined: 12 Apr 2015 Posts: 11 Location: Allentown, Pa

Thanks for all the feedback. Not getting it inspected. I may just go with a plug. I don't see myself moving, once its up. Now I have to figure how to mount it...