Here's the NECH commentary following the code change in the 2011 NEC:
110.26(D) Illumination. Illumination shall be provided for all
working spaces about service equipment, switchboards, panelboards, or motor control centers installed indoors and shall not be controlled by automatic means only. Additional lighting outlets shall not be required where the work space is illuminated by an adjacent light source or as permitted by 210.70(A)(1), Exception No. 1, for switched receptacles.
This section was revised for the 2011 Code. It now requires
working spaces around service equipment, switchboards,
and motor control centers to have a nonautomatic means to
control the lighting. Automatic lighting control through de-
vices such as occupancy sensors and similar devices would
not be prohibited. However, a manual means to bypass the
automatic control would be required.
Rob
Moderator
All responses based on the 2014 NEC unless otherwise noted
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