Just about all modern electric panels can be mounted upside down, meaning that the main breaker is located at the bottom instead of the top. We see them all the time. The code requirement that would stop some panels—but especially older ones—from being flipped is that any breaker switches mounted vertically must be “ON” in the up position and down when “OFF.” Unlike the older panel shown below, most panels today only have breakers that toggle horizontally.

     Here’s the key National Electrical Code (NEC) requirements that a panel has to meet to be “legal”:

1. The “up” position of a vertically operated breaker switch handle must be “ON.” (NEC 240.81)
2. The highest breaker in the panel cannot be more than 6’-7” above the floor. [NEC 240.24(A)]
3. The clear working space in front of the panel must be a minimum of 3’-0” deep, 2’-6” wide, and 6’-6” high. (NEC 110.26)
   
   

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    The NEC code provision that a breaker “ON” must be in the up position means that most panels can only use half of the breaker slots if mounted sideways. Also see our articles What is the maximum allowed height of a circuit breaker (OCPD) above the floor? and Can an electric panel be mounted sideways-horizontally? and Can I mount an electrical panel face down? and Can I mount an electrical panel face up?

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Here’s links to a collection of our other blog posts about ELECTRIC PANELS:

• What causes copper wires to turn green or black in an electric panel?  

• What is the maximum number of circuit breakers allowed in an electric panel?

• When should a corroded or damaged electric panel cabinet or disconnect box be replaced? 

• What is a tandem circuit breaker? 

• When did arc fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) breakers first become required?

• Can an electric panel be located in a closet? 

• Can an electric panel be located in a bathroom? 

• Can you add circuit breakers by different manufacturers to an electric panel if they fit?

• My circuit breaker won't reset. What's wrong?  

• What is a split bus electric panel?

• How do I identify a combination AFCI (CAFCI) circuit breaker? 

• What does a circuit breaker with a yellow or white test button indicate? 

• What is the maximum gap allowed between the front of a recessed electric panel box and the wall surface surrounding it? 

• What is the difference between "grounded" and "grounding" electrical conductors? 

• What does it mean when a wire is "overstripped" at a circuit breaker?

• Why is an old fuse panel dangerous?  

• Who is the manufacturer of those "bad" electric panels?

• Why is the circuit breaker stuck in the middle? 

• What is a double tap at a circuit breaker?

• What is the right electric wire size for a circuit breaker in an electric panel?

• What is the life expectancy of a circuit breaker? 

• My circuit breaker won't reset. What's wrong? 

• Why do some breakers in my electric panel have a "TEST" button on them?

• What is the maximum allowed height of a circuit breaker (OCPD) above the floor?

• What is the maximum height you can mount an electric panel above the floor? 

• What is the code required clearance in front of an electric panel?

• What is the main bonding jumper and where do it find it in an electric panel? 

   Visit our ELECTRIC PANELS page for other related blog posts on this subject, or go to the INDEX for a complete listing of all our articles.