Motor Starter Clearance's

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sparkky302

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Ok here is my question. What we are doing is replacing some pumps and motor starters. The existing disconnects are mounted behind the pumps we are replacing them with motor starters which will be connected to the BMS. Now do we need to follow the same working clearance's as panelboards. The motors are 3 phase 480 volt. Sorry for security reasons I cannot take pictures. Also do 480volt VFD's need to follow the clearance's too. Thanks
 
Consult your AHJ for local interpretation, BUT 110.26 does technically apply to motor control centers and disconnect enclosures.
 
The clearance requirements of 110.26(A) are not limited to panelboards.

110.26(A) requires working space clearance "for equipment operating at 600 volts, nominal, or less to ground and likely to require examination, adjustment, servicing, or maintenance while energized"

So the question becomes does the motor starter require "examination, adjustment, servicing, or maintenance while energized".

I know that this doesn't exactly answer your question, but this requirment is very much subjective.

Chris
 
Thanks for your reply the motor starter is part of a redundant system so if it had to be serviced they can fire the back up pump on and work on the starter.
 
sparkky302 said:
Thanks for your reply the motor starter is part of a redundant system so if it had to be serviced they can fire the back up pump on and work on the starter.
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I believe you used a "key word" there....if they "work on the starter" with it energized then 110.26 would come into play under most AHJs.
 
augie47 said:
I believe you used a "key word" there....if they "work on the starter" with it energized then 110.26 would come into play under most AHJs.
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I kind of agree.....but before I counted on it I would talk to the person who will be inspecting it.
 
sparkky302 said:
Ok here is my question. What we are doing is replacing some pumps and motor starters. The existing disconnects are mounted behind the pumps we are replacing them with motor starters which will be connected to the BMS. Now do we need to follow the same working clearance's as panelboards. The motors are 3 phase 480 volt. Sorry for security reasons I cannot take pictures. Also do 480volt VFD's need to follow the clearance's too. Thanks
Click to expand...

IMO, yes to both. I imagine you meant to put questionmarks after both sentences.

110.26 Spaces About Electrical Equipment.​
​
​
Sufficient
access and working space shall be provided and maintained
about all electrical equipment to permit ready and safe operation
and maintenance of such equipment.
​

(1)​
​
​
(a)​
​
Dead-Front Assemblies. Working space shall not be
required in the back or sides of assemblies, such as deadfront
switchboards or motor control centers, where all connections
and all renewable or adjustable parts, such as fuses
or switches, are accessible from locations other than the
back or sides. Where rear access is required to work on
nonelectrical parts on the back of enclosed equipment, a
minimum horizontal working space of 762 mm (30 in.)
shall be provided​


This would imply that even if you are working on the equipment in their deenergized status ONLY you would need to provide 30in. In that case you would need to post a sign accordingly. The argument would be that components, when not energized, could be considered as non-electrical components.​
 
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