space around equipment

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frani

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Location
Ct
Occupation
Retired electrical contractor/instructor/inspector
Good Morning!
I believe that I am reading this article differently than the inspector in a town where we are currently doing some electrical work. Please share if I am incorrect in your opinion. In a dwelling the basement is framed out for several rooms. The existing panel is in the basement and mounted on plywood and wood studs to the cellar wall. There is a opening framed out in the new wall where a door will be installed to allow access to the panel. The panel opening is on the right side of the room on the outside wall. The right side wall of the room is about 12" from the right edge of the panel cover. There is nothing but wall space on the left hand side. The panel door can be opened to a 180 degree angle. The inspector states that 3' of clearance must be maintained in front of and on both sides of the panel. In other words, nothing within almost 5 feet from the center of the panel. I disagree. I read the clearance code as 3' in front of and 30" from one side of the panel (depending on where it's mounted, left or right side) and the door must be able to open to a 90 degree angle. Any assistance?
Thanks
 
I get amased over some of the so called inspectors. Is he new ? Was he working at McDonalds last week ? Assume this is some small town that hired what ever they could find. Meet with him and take along your code book as it seems he does not own one.
110.26 is not that hard to understand. Give him 30 inches wide and 3 feet in front ,6 feet 6 inches min height and you meet code.
 
You have it right. Let me add that the panel does not need to be in the center of the 30 inches. For example, a 22 inch wide panel can have 8 inches of space to the left and none to the right, or 2 inches to the left and 6 to the right, or 4 inches on each side, whatever.
 
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