WORKING SPACE

[ROBOJOE77]

In my opinion and interpretation of required working space is that if a piece of equipment has a removable panel for service and inspection and there is the potential that it will be exposed live parts at some point in time while the panel is off, you must provide the required working space whether you think you will need to use that removable panel or not because there may be a need to in the unforeseeable future. Or, do you think it's ok to just declare that we won't use that side, we'll use the other side with a removable panel so we don't have to provide the space on all sides?
I believe even if it's acceptable to not provide the working space on all sides as long as it's provided somewhere at the equipment it's poor planning and design.
For context, this equipment is an enclosure about a variable reactance transformer 4'Hx3'Wx6'L. Two side are removable and the front has an access panel for the controls and whatnot. Primary : 480 VAC, 520 Amps. Secondary : 30 VAC, 8000 Amps.

 

[infinity]

If all the internal parts are accessible from the front than working space to the sides or back is not required. Very common with switchboards that have removable rear and side covers but are set right against a wall.

 

[jim dungar]

If the exposed parts are energized, you need working space. If working space is not available then a qualified individual should not remove the access cover exposing energized parts. Just because a cover can be removed does not mean it should be.