On Mon, 25 Aug 2008 13:28:36 -0700 (PDT), wrote:

My circuit breaker panel cabinet has 2 existing, already-installed
breakers with nothing attached. I would like to use one as a
dedicated line for a spare refrigerator in the basement. All of the
existing bx-cables exit the cabinet from the top, and _every_ existing
panel knock-out on the top of the cabinet is occupied. There are
knock-outs on the side of the cabinet, but I’m wondering, is there
some rule or code that prohibits exiting from the side?

Not that I've even heard of. I'm not an electrician but I think the
mnfgr made side-knockouts for you (and me) to use as necessary.
That's not to say that, if there are 3k little municipalities in the
US, a handful won't have some funny rules.

Sounds like some kind soul anticipated need of new circuits and
outfitted 'em. 15 amp?

I doubt your avg. spare fridge requires a dedicated circuit, but
if you put one on an existing circuit, ya gotta know the max
amperages load.

AQ

"The monkey and the baboon was playing 7-up.
The monkey won the money but he scared to pick it up.
The monkey stumbled, mama.
The baboon fell.
The monkey grab the money and he run like hell!"
- from "Dirty Motherfuyer", Roosevelt Sykes, around 1935