Wire gutter extends beyond 6” in front of Disconnect switches

Isaiah

Senior Member
Location
Baton Rouge
Occupation
Electrical Inspector
They’ve installed a 16” wire gutter below a group of 5, 480V disconnect switches that extends approximately 10” begin the front of the switches which is violation of working access NEC 110.26. Is there any “work-around” this so they don’t have to tear it out ?


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Without tearing it out they could just just cut 4" off of the front of the wireway.

I was thinking they could modify the rack slightly …to standoff the disconnect switches by 4” with unistrut - of course this will involve rework which I was hoping to avoid


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I was thinking they could modify the rack slightly …to standoff the disconnect switches by 4” with unistrut - of course this will involve rework which I was hoping to avoid


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Yeah sure they can take off all of the switches and rebuild it but it wouldn't call that a work around. That's basically starting over.
 
Yeah sure they can take off all of the switches and rebuild it but it wouldn't call that a work around. That's basically starting over.

Agreed - how about adding signage? Along with LOTO procedure -
“Switches shall not be opened while energized”


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Agreed - how about adding signage? Along with LOTO procedure -
“Switches shall not be opened while energized”
People are going to do what they want regardless of a sign. Unfortunately there are no provisions in the NEC to allow the sign in lieu of not exceeding the 6" encroachment into the working space.
 
Little Bill says the rule is a form of discrimination. He likes to rest his belly on the wiereway as he works on the equipment. :)
 
Can you space the disconnects 4" off the wall? (Opps, now I see you were considering this :) )

In the 2023 code, you get 6" for other equipment and support structures, so they are only in violation by 4".

Or maybe the inspector will forget to bring his tape measure.
 
Never thought about it before, but doesn't that mean just about every control enclosure that has terminal strips on the backboard, and is about 12" or deeper is a violation?

The cabinet front would extend more than 6" in front of the terminals?
 
People are going to do what they want regardless of a sign. Unfortunately there are no provisions in the NEC to allow the sign in lieu of not exceeding the 6" encroachment into the working space.
You didn't actually say whether the disconnects are fused or nonfused. I have always contended that non fused disconnects should fall under the 110 clearance rules. Certainly you are less likely to need access than you do for a receptacle. Some inspectors agree so it may not be an issue where you are.
 
You didn't actually say whether the disconnects are fused or nonfused.
It doesn't really matter although I have heard some people interpret the working space rules differently for fused versus non-fused. 110.26 is one of the most poorly written code sections in the NEC.
 
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