Service panel in Bathroom

[pbennett1]

When did the NEC make it illegal to install a panel in a bathroom or was it never?
thanks,
Peter

[Jerry Peck - Codeman]

Common sense told you that overcurrent devices should not be located in bathrooms ... that is until enough people exhibited the lack of that common sense ... then it became a part of the NEC in 1993 to assist those who lacked that common sense by giving them a stated directive of not to install overcurrent devices in bathrooms located in dwelling units and guest rooms of hotels and motels.

Regarding installing overcurrent devices (i.e., "panels") in bathrooms in other occupancies, that is still not specifically "prohibited", nor is it "allowed" either, but one much use that much lacking 'common sense' to understand why.

Bathrooms, by their very nature, design, and intended use, are intended to have their doors locked while in use (referring to, of course, other than 'locker room type bathrooms' where the door does not get locked - however, those present other problems to be overcome before even contemplating installing overcurrent devices in those 'locker room' type bathrooms).

Because bathrooms are designed and intended to have locked doors, that does not allow bathrooms to be used as suitable locations for the installation of overcurrent devices (other than supplementary overcurrent devices).