Working Clearance

[jbolen]

Question: We have installed 4000 amp 480 volt gear with rear up against the wall. All front and side have six ft. clearances. The owner's maintenance electrician is telling the owner we have "violated" the NEC because he can not reach the bolts on the bus bars from the rear of the gear. Section 110

 

[Carultch]

Question: We have installed 4000 amp 480 volt gear with rear up against the wall. All front and side have six ft. clearances. The owner's maintenance electrician is telling the owner we have "violated" the NEC because he can not reach the bolts on the bus bars from the rear of the gear. Section 110

See 110.26(A)(1)(a).

If you don't need to work on the back of equipment energized, but you might need to work on non-electrical maintenance items like replacing an air filter, the NEC specifies 30 inches. Or if you need to work on electrical items, but can and will completely de-energize before doing so, the 30 inch back rule would also apply.