So let me get this straight, George. If a gutter was considered part of the equipment, eg., service equipment, then you have been allowing the gutter to be extended out past the front of the panel?, in apparent violation of the old code?
I can see the value of treating the gutter as part of the service equipment, as far as clearances and bonding requirements are concerned, tho I don't know where to find such stipulation in the code. My working "assumption" was that the "flush" requirement was to eliminate the shock hazard and stumbling hazard associated with protruding grounded stuff..so that you could work on the equipment (requiring service or adjustment) without having to duck under,lean on, or touch any grounded surfaces.
The newer codes allow 6", which is reasonable enough in practice. Its not usual for someone to be sticking his/her 'nose' right into the gear while working on it. Assumption being that we don't need more than 6" [Linked Image]