Approvals required for rearranging circuit breakers?

[Rick Junkin]

What approvals, if any, are required to rearrange the circuit breakers on a vintage circuit breaker panel that is being upgraded along with a modern glass panel?

I want to arrange the circuit breakers in an order that makes more sense with modern equipment installed. Do I need any approvals to deviate from the layout described in the POH? Any specific systems, like landing gear system breakers, that need to remain where they are?

Cheers,
Rick

[ArtVandelay]

No, but you’ll notice that they are group by which bus they are on (master or avionics).
My autopilot and trim servo are the lowest left CBs and easily accessible in case I need to disable them.

[Rick Junkin]

Thanks, I was hearing things like “field approval” and definitely don’t want to go down that rabbit hole. I’ve been without my airplane since May as it is.

Cheers,
Rick

[EricJ]

Read Appendix A of FAR 43, which describes what things qualify as major alterations or repairs.    If you're not changing the loading of the circuits or re-architecting the electrical system, e.g., the same buses still do the same things (e.g., no change in the circuit schematic), I'd think it would not qualify as a major alteration and therefore requires no 337.   My opinion is worthless in your case, though, as the opinions that matter will be your IA and the shop that does the work.

[PT20J]

The only part of the POH/AFM that is regulatory is the Limitations section (note that this is the only section that is "FAA Approved.")

Approval for installation of the new avionics is by STC which will require a 337. The STC will indicate the requirements for circuit protection for the new equipment. This will likely necessitate changes to the circuit breaker panel. There is no problem with rearranging circuit breakers, or switches on the panel during the retrofit -- shops do that all the time.

I don't know who told you you would need a field approval, but if it the shop doing the work, I would be concerned.

Skip

[Rick Junkin]

Thanks everyone, got this figured out and proceeding accordingly. End state is I’m keeping avionics on the avionics buss and all of the primary aircraft systems on the main buss, as originally designed, so no issues.

Cheers,
Rick