230.62 Service Equipment Barriers.
Code Change Summary: New code section addressing barriers in service equipment.
In the 2020 NEC®, the barrier requirement for service panelboards, switchboards, and switchgear previously found in 408.3(A)(2) was modified and relocated to 230.62 where it now applies to all types of service equipment.
The intent is to protect those servicing load terminations from inadvertently contacting line terminals such as uninsulated, ungrounded service busbars or service terminals in a service enclosure.
The previous code language only applied to service panelboards, switchboards, and switchgear since the requirements were found only in Article 408. Now that it has been relocated to Article 230, the rule will apply to anything that is marked suitable for use as service equipment such as many automatic transfer switches, many circuit breaker enclosures, many enclosed disconnect switches, many motor control centers and the like.
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 2020 NEC® edition of NFPA 70.
2017 Code Language:
This code section did not exist.
2020 Code Language:
N 230.62(C) Barriers. Barriers shall be placed in service equipment such that no uninsulated, ungrounded service busbar or service terminal is exposed to inadvertent contact by persons or maintenance equipment while servicing load terminations.