NEC 110.26(A) Working Space -- Dwelling Unit Existing

[brycenesbitt]

110.25(A) covers "working space" in front of equipment likely to "likely to require examination, adjustment, servicing, or maintenance while energized "
and generally requires 6 1/2 feet of vertical working space in front.

In my area of older buildings the electrical panels are often in hatches built into the exterior wall.
But we have to the rescue, at least for the smaller buildings:

Exception No. 2: In existing dwelling units, service equipment or enclosed panelboards that do not exceed 200 amperes shall be permitted in spaces where the height of the working space is less than 2.0 m (61⁄2 ft).

That reads "units" not "dwellings". How would you interpret this clause for the set of common meters to a dwelling, not specific to a given unit in that dwelling? Does "dwelling unit" refer to a unit in the dwelling, or to entire buildings?

If a breaker exists in front of the equipment (e.g. it can be turned off but might not actually be turned off) is it still "likely to require examination, adjustment, servicing, or maintenance while energized "?

 

[pipe_bender]

My take is anything that contains a breaker or fuse is "likely to require examination, adjustment, servicing, or maintenance while energized" no ocpd not likely.

 

[charlie b]

Does "dwelling unit" refer to a unit in the dwelling, or to entire buildings?

I think the NEC's definition of "dwelling unit" is clear enough. A building can have many dwelling units. My interpretation of the article you quoted is that it applies to any dwelling unit in the building, but not to the building as a whole.