110.26(E) Dedicated Equipment Space.

Notice the roof drain is routed into the required dedicated equipment space for some of the service equipment.
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Notice the roof drain is routed into the required dedicated equipment space for some of the service equipment.

Code Change Summary: Service equipment now requires dedicated space.

In the past, “dedicated equipment space” has only been required for four types of equipment:

  1. Switchboards
  2. Switchgear
  3. Panelboards
  4. Motor control centers

Dedicated equipment space is not to be confused with working space.

Dedicated equipment space is for the equipment so that there is ample room for installing conduits, cables, cable trays and related wiring methods. Dedicated equipment space applies to indoor and outdoor equipment.

Dedicated equipment space is the space equal to the width and depth of the equipment (the envelope of the equipment), extending from the floor to a height of 6 feet above the equipment or to the structural ceiling, whichever is lower. This dedicated space is dedicated specifically to the electrical installation. No piping, ductwork, leak protection systems, or other equipment that is foreign to the electrical installation is permitted in this zone.

Working space is for the worker. Working space requirements and dimensions are located in Section 110.26(A).

In the 2023 NEC®, “service equipment” has been added to the list of things that require dedicated equipment space.

According to the definition in Article 100, “service equipment” includes the necessary equipment, consisting of circuit breakers, switches, fuses, and their accessories, connected to the serving utility and intended to constitute the main control and disconnect of the serving utility.

Service “equipment” is not always a service rated panelboard or switchgear. Sometimes a service rated disconnecting switch is used as the electrical service to a building. Until this code change, typical service rated disconnect switches have not been included as a type of equipment requiring dedicated equipment space.

Requiring service “equipment” to have dedicated equipment space ensures that the same protection is afforded for all service equipment types including the simple service rated disconnect switch.

Below is a preview of the NEC®. See the actual NEC® text at NFPA.ORG for the complete code section. Once there, click on their link to free access to the 2023 NEC® edition of NFPA 70.

2020 Code Language:

110.26(E) Dedicated Equipment Space. All switchboards, switchgear, panelboards, and motor control centers shall be located in dedicated spaces and protected from damage.

2023 Code Language:

110.26(E) Dedicated Equipment Space. All service equipment, switchboards, switchgear, panelboards, and motor control centers shall be located in dedicated spaces and protected from damage.

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110.26(E) Dedicated Equipment Space.

Below is a Real Question from our Electrical Continuing Education Courses for Electrical License Renewal:

Refer to the image to answer the question.

The roof drain is encroaching into the dedicated equipment space for which of the following?

A: Service panelboard 1 and service disconnect 2.
B: Service disconnect 3.
C: Service disconnect 4.
D: The service gutter under the service equipment.
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