How high does a main breaker panel need to be?

Needs to be convenient to work on. Top of panel should not be higher than eye level unless it is a very large panel. Try to keep the top of the panel at about 65 to 70 inches.

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In the United States, the NEC requires that an overcurrent device be installed not higher than 6 feet 7 inches. It's important to remember that when you are looking into a panel, you might not have good lighting and you want to be able to see what you're working with. Placing the panel so that working with branch circuits is comfortable without violating the code is preferable IMO.

I'm not writing to disagree with Dave. You will find many panels mounted 65 to 70 inches high. Sometimes, especially in a home, you don't have the room to bring the service conductors into the home and into the panel and mount it higher than that. But it is nice to walk up to a panel and with good light or a flashlight, be able to give the whole thing a good look. ========== Sparkfighter