Transformer installation

[Del91574]

Yes, however if you stick to the letter of the code, you need to maintain 3' of free and clear space straight out from the panel, the full width of the panel assuming you are talking about true equipment and enclosures, not a shelf with a Linksys router and your modem set on it.

 

[treo650]

Routers and switches are on a wooden shelf, exposed.

So it's a no?

 

[tmbrown97]

I'm in CA, where it's about as strict as I've seen or heard about, having lived all over both costs.

Here I've seen it pretty common for alarm installers to find a reliable outlet to plug the transformer into, then fish the wire right from the transformer into the wall, up into the attic, and back to the panel - wherever it is. It's LV so CA doesn't care much. FWIW.

Also a new practice that's very common, and VERY against code - is all these flat-panel TV installation kits - that give people a wire passthrough from behind their TV to a hidden location... people are running their standard TV AC cords through these wall cavities, which is explicitly against code - but it's happening every day here, and nobody is complaining.

 

[Del91574]

Routers and switches are on a wooden shelf, exposed.
So it's a no?

Routers and similar, if not installed in or on a panelboard, do not meet the definitions of what an electrical panel is. If you install a structured wiring enclosure and intend on connecting to the wiring contained within, that becomes a panelboard.

As to what Work has mentioned regarding alarm installation, that is SOP for almost everywhere I've been and is fully covered within the NEC article 725 for being allowed, however the extreme technical end of it is once you install a fire device on the panel, it's supposed to be it's own dedicated branch circuit.

The installation of TV's on the wall brings a whole new dimension on what is against code....the installation of premade cabling that isn't listed for inwall use (HDMI and other component cables) is the largest offender IMO. They do make power inlet kits that allow the person to install an outlet using romex and the plug below is male, so it allows a straight extension style cord to plug into it.

Usually there's no complaints until a fire happens and the insurer refuses coverage or someone dies or is injured, which is (factually) where a lot of the code articles and changes come from.