{"id":20582,"date":"2020-07-08T13:29:38","date_gmt":"2020-07-08T18:29:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/iaeimagazine.org\/?p=20582"},"modified":"2022-05-31T16:16:25","modified_gmt":"2022-05-31T21:16:25","slug":"working-space-requirements-for-electrical-panelboards","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/iaeimagazine.org\/issue\/july-august-2020\/working-space-requirements-for-electrical-panelboards\/","title":{"rendered":"Working Space Requirements for Electrical Panelboards"},"content":{"rendered":"

Most electricians, as well as homeowners, have needed to visit the electrical panelboard in order to reset or turn off a circuit breaker. Most electricians have a keen understanding of the\u00a0National Electric Code<\/i>\u00a0(NEC<\/i>) and the requirements in this safety document. But not many homeowners or other individuals not associated with the electrical profession know this document even exists.<\/p>\n

So, with that being said, how do we as electrical professionals assure that electrical panelboards maintain the necessary working space requirements? How do we as electrical professionals promote the need for this electrical working space so that this equipment remains readily accessible to the occupant or electrical contractor? Some of you are smiling right now, asking another question \u2014 \u201cCan this ever be achieved in the first place?\u201d<\/p>\n

This is a brief article about electrical working space requirements that exist in many of the locations we live and work. It will provide several photos, some compliant and some not so compliant, showing what can happen when electrical code requirements are not adhered to. If there is an electrical panelboard at your facility, there is a need for electrical working space.<\/p>\n

The Struggle Is Real!<\/b><\/h2>\n

How many times have you been off the clock and casually eating at a restaurant or walking around a shopping center, and the \u201celectrician or electrical inspector\u201d in you comes out? You can\u2019t help but notice an electrical\u00a0Code<\/i>violation. My wife used to get really upset when this happened. But today, she has become used to it. She would often remark, \u201cYou can never just turn off being an electrician or an electrical inspector, can you!\u201d<\/p>\n

I used to feel bad when she called me out for this behavior, but I have come to realize that electrical safety has no timeclock or regular work hours.\u00a0 It is an ongoing struggle to maintain electrical safety in the cities and jurisdictions we live in.<\/p>\n

The following page contains a collage of several electrical panelboard locations and what can happen when owners and occupants of facilities do not understand working space requirements. I am sure that you have seen much worse during your time as an electrical professional.<\/p>\n

\"Photo<\/a>
Photo 1. Working space for panelboards with signage and floor marking.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The National Electric Code Requirements<\/b><\/h2>\n

Let\u2019s start by defining what we are going to discuss and what we are not going to discuss. All types of electrical equipment require some type of working space. This particular article will cover the three space requirements that comprise working space in front of the electrical panelboard. Another space that exists is referred to as\u00a0dedicated electrical space,\u00a0<\/i>but I will save this for a future article.<\/p>\n

Section 110.26 in the 2020\u00a0NEC<\/i>\u00a0is entitled\u00a0Spaces About Electrical Equipment<\/i>\u00a0and outlines the three areas of working space discussed in this article. These include: the depth of the working space at 110.26(A)(1); the width of the working space at 110.26(A)(2); and the height of the working space at 110.26(A)(3). Review Section 110.26 for additional requirements.<\/p>\n

One of the best explanations of the dimensions of this space that I have heard has been advanced by IAEI\u2019sKeith Lofland during many of his electrical seminars. This space can be visualized as the space of an empty refrigerator box set in front of the panelboard. This \u201ccardboard box\u201d contains depth, width, and height very similar to what the\u00a0NEC<\/i>\u00a0is trying to explain to the user of the\u00a0Code<\/i>.\u00a0 Figure 1 below helps to show these various spaces.<\/p>\n

\"Figure<\/a>
Figure 1.<\/strong>\u00a0Working space depth, width, and height.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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\"Figure<\/a>
Figure 2.<\/strong>\u00a0Working space table 110.26(A)(1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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Depth Of Working Space<\/b><\/p>\n

The depth of working space will vary at the panelboard due to the nominal voltage that is available.\u00a0NEC<\/i>\u00a0Table 110.26(A)(1),\u00a0Working Spaces,<\/i>\u00a0is a very useful table that details these measurements (see figure 2). The \u201cConditions\u201d located beneath the table are very informative in order to apply the requirements properly.\u00a0 Figures 3, 4, and 5 are also very beneficial towards your understanding of these working space depths.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Figure<\/a>
Figure 3.<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0Condition 1 working space requirements and nominal voltages that apply.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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\"\"<\/a> \"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Figures<\/a>
Figures 4, 4a, and 4b.<\/strong> \u00a0Condition 2 working space requirements and nominal voltages that apply.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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\"\"<\/a> \"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Figures<\/a>
Figures 5, 5a, and 5b.<\/strong>\u00a0Condition 3 working space requirements and nominal voltages that apply.You can see in figures 3, 4, and 5 that certain conditions will determine the working space distances. For a\u00a0Condition 1\u00a0location, as shown in figure 3, exposed live parts are present on one side of the working space. There are no live, grounded, or exposed live parts on the other side of the working space.\u00a0 This \u201cother side\u201d of the space is also effectively guarded by insulating materials. This 900 mm (3 ft.) depth would hold true regardless of the voltage involved.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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For a\u00a0Condition 2<\/i>\u00a0location, as shown in figures 4, 4a, and 4b, exposed live parts exist on one side of the working space as well as grounded parts on the other side of the working space. The note describing a Condition 2 location contains additional information that is sometimes found on an electrical exam.\u00a0 The note tells the user of the\u00a0Code<\/i>\u00a0that items such as concrete, brick, or tile walls shall be considered as grounded.<\/p>\n