110.26(C)(2) Large Equipment.
Whether it’s a disconnect for an outside feeder entering the room, or a service disconnect, if its “Large Equipment” in accordance with 110.26(C)(2)(2), the entry/egress for the working space must be at least 2 feet wide and 6.5 feet high.
Code Change Summary: The egress requirements for “Large Equipment” have been expanded.
SME commentary: Section 110.26(C)(2) is all about providing sufficient entry to and exiting (egress) from the required working space for “Large Equipment”.
Previously in the 2023 NEC®, “Large Equipment” in this section was either of the following:
- Any equipment with overcurrent devices, switching devices, or control devices rated 1200 amperes or more and over 6 feet wide.
- Service disconnecting means with a combined ampere rating of 1200 amps or more, and a combined width of over 6 feet.
Under the 2023 NEC®, if either 1 or 2 above existed, the requirement was triggered to have at least one entrance to and egress from the required working space at each end of the working space unless the allowances in 110.26(C)(2)(a) or (b) were met.
The language in the 2023 NEC® made it clear that the combined width of all service disconnects for a service were added together when applying the entry/egress requirements above regardless of where each service disconnecting means enclosure was located in the room, or how far apart they were from each other.
In the 2026 NEC®, this concept for “Large Equipment” has been broadened to apply to ALL disconnecting means (not just service disconnects) installed in accordance with 225.33(A) or 230.71(B) where the combined ampere rating is 1200 amperes or more and where the combined width is over 6 feet.
The premise behind the public input and related public comment that resulted in the 2026 change was that the language in 110.26(C)(2)(2) about the “combined ampere rating”, and “combined width” allowance for service disconnects should also apply and be repeated in 110.26(C)(2)(1) for other types of large equipment. As written in 2023, the special rules for entry to or egress from an electrical room containing Large Equipment rated 1200 amperes or more and over 6 feet wide for other than service disconnecting means could be interpreted to apply only if the electrical equipment is in one piece or unit. This line of thinking rules out installations where several freestanding motor control centers (each wider than 6 feet, but each rated under 1200 amps individually) can be arranged with one end perpendicular to and against a wall leaving only one way for a worker to escape if an arc flash or fire occurs during servicing.
This leaves unsafe locations where workers can be trapped between equipment since egress isn’t required at each end for non-service type large equipment.
The revised 2026 NEC® language in 110.26(C)(2)(2) didn’t quite meet the intent of the submitter but was restructured nonetheless to apply to feeder disconnecting means from 225.33(A), and service disconnecting means from 230.71(B) in the requirement as follows:
110.26(C)(2)(2) Large Equipment. For large equipment that contains OCPDs, switching devices, or control devices, there shall be one entrance to and egress from the required working space not less than 24 inches wide and 6 ½ feet high at each end of the working space. This requirement shall apply to either of the following conditions:
(1) For equipment rated 1200 amperes or more and over 6 feet wide.
(2) For disconnecting means installed in accordance with 225.33(A) or 230.71(B) where the combined ampere rating is 1200 amperes or more and where the combined width is over 6 feet.
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 2026 NEC® edition of NFPA 70.
2023 Code Language:
110.26(C)(2) Large Equipment. For large equipment that contains overcurrent devices, switching devices, or control devices, there shall be one entrance to and egress from the required working space not less than 24 inches wide and 6 ½ feet high at each end of the working space. This requirement shall apply to either of the following conditions:
(1) For equipment rated 1200 amperes or more and over 6 feet wide.
(2) For service disconnecting means installed in accordance with 230.71(B) where the combined ampere rating is 1200 amperes or more and where the combined width is over 6 feet.
2026 Code Language:
110.26(C)(2) Large Equipment. For large equipment that contains OCPDs, switching devices, or control devices, there shall be one entrance to and egress from the required working space not less than 24 inches wide and 6 ½ feet high at each end of the working space. This requirement shall apply to either of the following conditions:
(1) For equipment rated 1200 amperes or more and over 6 feet wide.
(2) For disconnecting means installed in accordance with 225.33(A) or 230.71(B) where the combined ampere rating is 1200 amperes or more and where the combined width is over 6 feet.