Equipment space
- Thread starter nickelec
- Start date
- Status
- Occupation
- Licensed Electrician
Moving the panel is a good start. Looks like you are going to be there all month.
It doesn't seem to be in the dedicated space, but does appear to be in the working space.
pjholguin
Senior Member
I believe he is referring to the front working space, the steam line is not your only problem...the cabinet that the panel is in is considered in the working space IIRC.
packersparky
Senior Member
- Location
- Wisconsin
- Occupation
- Inspector
110.26(E)-Dedicate equipment space is the space above the panel, the width and depth of the panel and up to 6 feet above the panel or to the structural ceiling (whichever is lower), and cannot anything other than that which is dedicated to the electrical installation (cables, raceways, etc.).
110.26(A)(1) through (3)- Clear working space is the space in front of the panel, 30 inches wide by 36 inches deep and 6.5 feet high, and this space cannot contain anything else.
If the steam pipe is in either of the above spaces, it would be a violation.
- Location
- Lockport, IL
- Occupation
- Semi-Retired Electrical Engineer
My review of the photo tells me that the steam line is not directly over the panel. So you would not have a problem with dedicated space. It then would come down to whether the steam line is at least 6.5 feet above the floor.
Carultch
Senior Member
- Location
- Massachusetts
How does dedicated space apply to panelboards recessed in wood framing? Are cross-members of the wood framing and thermal insulation allowed within it?
- Location
- Lockport, IL
- Occupation
- Semi-Retired Electrical Engineer
The code does not explicitly address this situation. One could take the view that all that stuff is "foreign" to the electrical installation, and throw a flag on that play. My view is that this is not a code violation. I would not call a wood framing member "equipment." Also, such an installation does provide protection for the panel, as is required by 110.26(E). Finally (and I have no code wording to back this up), I believe the purpose of this article is to allow for future installation of additional conduits. That, I believe, is why it only applies to four specific components, and not (for example) to transformers, disconnect switches, or VFDs. A flush mounted panel is not going to be getting any new conduits, or at least not without a great deal of difficulty. That is why most plans and specs require spare conduits to be run from a flush mounted panel to a space above the suspended ceiling - for future circuits.
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