Pull Box Workspace Clearance

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cvirgil467

Senior Member
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NewYork
Hello all.

Anyone know if the workspace requirements of 110.26 apply to pull boxes where the pull box has not taps or live energized parts. Just cabling passing through and used as a pull point.

If there are no workspace requirements in the NEC, does OSHA have workspace requirements?
Thanks.
c
 
110.26 doesn't mention any specific situations or equipment, all it says is "Working space for equipment operating at 600 volts, nominal, or less to ground and likely to require examination, adjustment, servicing, or maintenance while energized shall comply with the dimensions of..."
 
kwired said:
110.26 doesn't mention any specific situations or equipment, all it says is "Working space for equipment operating at 600 volts, nominal, or less to ground and likely to require examination, adjustment, servicing, or maintenance while energized shall comply with the dimensions of..."
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So if there is absolutely no reason to service a piece of equipment while energized, are you permitted to have less working space than 110.26 would prescribe?

Such as an HVAC condenser. It has a disconnect off to the side (proper), with the correct working space, but surrounding the unit itself, there is only 30". Any time you need to work on the unit, you will shut off the disconnect first.

I've always interpreted this as "better to have and not need, than need and not have". And therefore required for all equipment.
 
infinity said:
Is a pull box really equipment?
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Equipment.
A general term, including fittings, devices, appliances, luminaires, apparatus, machinery, and the like used as a part of, or in connection with, an electrical installation.
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If a fitting is equipment then why wouldn't a pull box be equipment?

What electrical component does not fit this definition?
 
Carultch said:
So if there is absolutely no reason to service a piece of equipment while energized, are you permitted to have less working space than 110.26 would prescribe?

Such as an HVAC condenser. It has a disconnect off to the side (proper), with the correct working space, but surrounding the unit itself, there is only 30". Any time you need to work on the unit, you will shut off the disconnect first.

I've always interpreted this as "better to have and not need, than need and not have". And therefore required for all equipment.
Click to expand...

This has been debated here many times. It is written too vaguely and is very subject to interpretation.

One could read it as meaning a junction box needs the working space. One could read it as the dwelling unit required kitchen counter top receptacles actually violate the rule unless you have a 36 inch countertop in front of them.

Some say if you are likely to take a voltage or current reading then the clearance rules apply. I can take a voltage or current reading at most any point conductors are accessible but how likely ... very debatable.

How many HVAC units are installed above ceilings or in limited access areas? Or other similar appliances for that matter? How often are voltage or current measurements taken on these units as part of troublesshooting process when they have a problem?
 
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