NEC 110.26

[alixenos]

Hi,

In 110.26, the following clarification is provided.

" Minimum working clearances are not required if the equipment is not likely to require examination, adjustment, servicing, or maintenance while energized. However, access and working space are still required by the opening paragraph of 110.26".

This seems contradictory to me. If the equipment does not require examining, adjusting, servicing, or maintaining, does it require an access and working space or not?

Thanks.

 

[don_resqcapt19]

You don't need the WORK space required by 110.26(A) if there is no equipment that will be worked on while energized.
You do need the physical space to install and access the equipment after it has been installed even were it is not going to be worked on while energized.

Note that any equipment where you can access the live parts is likely to require examination while energized as part of verifying the electrical safe working condition.

 

[Rjryan]

NEC 2023 110.26 (A) Explanation Handbook: "The intent is to provide enough space for the performance of any of the operations listed without jeopardizing workers. Minimum working clearances are not required if the equipment is not likely to require examination, adjustment, servicing, or maintenance while energized. However, access and working space are still required by the opening paragraph of 110.26."
NEC 2023 110.26 Explanation: "Spaces about electrical equipment are divided into two separate and distinct categories; working space generally applies to the protection of the worker , and dedicated equipment space applies to the space reserved for the future access to electrical equipment and to protect of equipment from intrusion by nonelectrical equipment. Storage of material that blocks access or prevents safe work practices must always avoided. The performance requirements for all spaces about electrical equipment are set forth in this section."
NEC 2023 110.26(A) Explanation "Examples of such equipment includes panel boards, switches, circuit breakers, controllers on heating and air-conditioning equipment. Note that the word "examination" includes tasks such as checking for the presence of voltages using a portable voltmeter."

Two things stand out for me. 1. NEC 20023 110.26 Working space, and access to and egress from working spaces. 2. While energized, examination, adjustment, servicing, or maintenance while energized requires working clearances.
NEC 2023 110.26(A) Explanation: "Minimum working clearances are not required if the equipment is not likely to require examination, adjustment, servicing or maintenance while energized."