The Space located 6'above Panels, Services, Motor Control centers, and Distribution Equipment and as wide as the Equipment is solely for the Electrician, right? No piping or other ducts etc. are allowed in this space. Does the 6'rule (110.26) also apply to disconnects, or are they exempt from the rule? Thanks
It depends. Check 110.26 (E)
You also have the issue of dedicated electrical space above the 6'6 working space.
(1) Indoor. Indoor installations shall comply with 110.26(F)(1)(a) through (F)(1)(d).
(a) Dedicated Electrical Space. The space equal to the width and depth of the equipment and extending from the floor to a height of 1.8 m (6 ft) above the equipment or to the structural ceiling, whichever is lower, shall be dedicated to the electrical installation. No piping, ducts, leak protection apparatus, or other equipment foreign to the electrical installation shall be located in this zone.
Exception: Suspended ceilings with removable panels shall be permitted within the 1.8-m (6-ft) zone.
(b) Foreign Systems. The area above the dedicated space required by 110.26(F)(1)(a) shall be permitted to contain foreign systems, provided protection is installed to avoid damage to the electrical equipment from condensation, leaks, or breaks in such foreign systems.
(c) Sprinkler Protection. Sprinkler protection shall be permitted for the dedicated space where the piping complies with this section.
(d) Suspended Ceilings. A dropped, suspended, or similar ceiling that does not add strength to the building structure shall not be considered a structural ceiling.
110.26(E) applies ONLY to service equipment, switchboards, panelboards, or motor control centers.
Does the disconnect function as one of those items ?
Yes or no, determines if the rule applies, i.e. it depends.
That is always the question. When do you apply "working space" to disconnects? and the answer seems to be which disconnect and what AHJ are you talking to.
It can get crowded out there in a Mechanical room, between the plumbers pipes, HVAC guys, and technicians. It's good those clearance rules out there. It's almost like picturing an invisible 3D frame over your Equipment and claiming that territory.
I'd say fuseable disconnects & controllers come into that because you can change the fuses while engerized.
I always though that an HVAC disconnect(disco) would need work space clearances (WSC) because they have to be serviced. Now the Dep. of Community Affairs tell me that the HVAC disco does not need WSC because it is not "serviceable equipment". I said, OK maybe that would be so if there are no fuses, but I believe if there are fuses, you need WSC. That would be the way I call it if I see it.
The way it has been explained to me is that a HVAC service tech might need to test the voltage on the line side of the disconnect. I could make that argument for every switch in the house.
Most fused disconnects (all?) have the fuse on the load side of the disconnect so nobody should need to handle an energized fuse.
If you read 110.26 (a) Fused disconnects & Controllers (changing heaters ect )come under it. If you read in the handbook (I know its not the code) explaination it covers thoses items.
just my call.
OK, How about a Jandy (sp?) panel for an outside hot tub? Do you need a full 30" clearance in front of the panelboard? There are several breakers inside ( motor, light, blower, etc) however there are 2 large pumps in front of the panel. You can open the panel door to 90 deg and more, and there is nothing directly in front of the panel, just those 2 motors on the ground right in front. You have to reach over the motors to work on the panel.
Harold, I've never worked under an AHJ who would let me out of the requirement in the case you cite. It's definitely a "switchboard or panelboard". The pool guys love to take up all the available space when they get there first, but when the inspector won't let anyone in the pool they usually move those pumps. The only thing I've seen get by is obstructions in the space above the panel, especially if it was existing.
I think I would be more concerned about that Jandy panel than a condenser disconnect. You have a lot better chance of a marginally qualified person working on it. Having obstructed work space makes even more likely that "pool boy" will fall into an energized conductor. (maybe wet and barefooted)
I have an EC trying to tell me that it is OK to have the pool pumps right in front of the Jandy panelboard, because you can open the panel 90 deg and more, plus you can still work on the breakers/equipment. (You just have to reach over two 2hp pump motors!)
Well Harold, it sucks to be wrong, especially when it's going to cost money. But the EC in the case you cite is just wrong. That Jandy panel needs the same clearance as any other.
I got in touch with the DCA last week and they agreed with my decision and I know that it is tough for the EC, but the pool people should have thought of that before they installed the pumps in front of the panel. I believe the EC was there first, so the pool people should be made to move their equipment.
Harold:
Wasn't the accident where a pool person got electrocuted caused by reaching over a pump to reach a disconnect?
Yes, the motor was not bonded properly as I remember.