For electrical equipment to be considered “accessible”, it must allow close approach, and the approach must not be guarded by locked doors or be hindered by elevation or other means.

The National Electrical Code (NEC) has additional definitions no longer found in NFPA 70E as follows:

Accessible (as applied to equipment). Capable of being reached for operation, renewal, and inspection.

Accessible (as applied to wiring methods). Capable of being removed or exposed without damaging the building structure or finish or not permanently closed in by the structure or finish of the building.

Accessible, Readily (Readily Accessible). Capable of being reached quickly for operation, renewal, or inspections without requiring those to whom ready access is requisite to take actions such as to use tools (other than keys), to climb over or under, to remove obstacles, or to resort to portable ladders, and so forth.

The definitions below are a few of many found in Article 100 of NFPA 70E:

Below is a sample of NFPA 70E. For the complete section, see the actual NFPA 70E text at NFPA.ORG. Once there, click on the free access link to NFPA 70E.

Accessible (as applied to equipment). Admitting close approach; not guarded by locked doors, elevation, or other effective means.

Approved. Acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction.