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2011 Changes to the NEC – 110.26
The following is an instructional page from our 2011 Changes to the NEC Textbook/DVD Package complete with graphics and video where applicable. As part of our on-going effort to provide free resources to help the industry, we will be sending this content as part of a series of newsletters. Each newsletter will feature pages taken directly from our textbooks. This can be a great training resource for your organization!
There are some important features in this text which help to highlight the changes that you should be aware of:
- Each Code section which contains a change includes a summary of the change, followed by a paraphrase of the NEC text affected by the change. Any specific change is denoted by underlined text and in the corresponding chapter color
- Graphics with green borders and 2011 CC icons next to the heading are graphics that contain a 2011 change; graphics without a green border or icon are graphics that support the concept being discussed, but nothing in the graphic was affected by a 2011 Code change.
2011 Changes to the NEC Part 1 |
110.26 Spaces About Electrical Equipment
This section was revised to provide more enforceable language.
110.26 Spaces About Electrical Equipment. For the purpose of safe operation and maintenance of equipment, access and working space must be provided about all electrical equipment.
ANALYSIS: Previous editions of the Code used the term “sufficient” to describe the access required by this section. Because the word “sufficient” is a vague and unenforceable term, it’s been removed from this NEC rule. |
110.26(A)(3) Height of Working Space
This subsection was revised to include all of the height requirements found in the section. A new exception for meters in meter sockets was added as well.
110.26 Spaces About Electrical Equipment.
(A) Working Space.
(3) Height of Working Space (Headroom). The height of the working space in front of equipment shall not be less than 6½ ft, measured from the grade, floor, platform, or the equipment height, whichever is greater.
Figure 110-14 (Click on image to enlarge)
Equipment such as raceways, cables, wireways, cabinets, panels, and so on, can be located above or below electrical equipment, but must not extend more than 6 in. into the equipment’s working space.
Figure 110-15 (Click on image to enlarge)
Ex 1: The minimum headroom requirement doesn’t apply to service equipment or panelboards rated 200A or less located in an existing dwelling unit.
Author’s Comment: See the definition of “Dwelling Unit” in Article 100.
Ex 2: Meters are permitted to extend beyond the other equipment.
ANALYSIS: In previous Code editions, 110.26(A)(3) and 110.26(E) both contained provisions regarding the height of the working space described in this section. Because there’s no reason to have two subsections giving similar provisions, 110.26(E) was deleted, and the text was incorporated into the existing 110.26(A)(3). The remaining subsections have also been renumbered to address the change. Meters are obviously installed inside the working space discussed in this section, and in previous editions of the NEC have been allowed only to protrude up to 6 in. into the clear work space. With this change, meters that extend more than 6 in. into the work space are allowed.
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110.26(D) Illumination
A clarification to the illumination requirements near electrical equipment has been made.
110.26 Spaces About Electrical Equipment.
(D) Illumination. Service equipment, switchboards, panelboards, as well as motor control centers located indoors must have illumination located indoors and must not be controlled by automatic means only.
Figure 110-16 (Click on image to enlarge)
Author’s Comment: The Code doesn’t provide the minimum foot-candles required to provide proper illumination. Proper illumination of electrical equip-ment rooms is essential for the safety of those qualified to work on such equipment.
ANALYSIS: This change is to clarify that the required illumination for switchboards, panelboards, and motor control centers must not be switched by automatic means only. In previous editions of the NEC, this requirement applied only to electrical rooms, regardless of the fact that equipment addressed by this rule is often installed in spaces that aren’t “electrical rooms.” |
110.26(E) Dedicated Equipment Space
The term “distribution board” has been deleted.
110.26 Spaces About Electrical Equipment.
(E) Dedicated Equipment Space. Switchboards, panelboards, and motor control centers must have dedicated equipment space as follows:
(1) Indoors.
(a) Dedicated Electrical Space. The footprint space (width and depth of the equipment) extending from the floor to a height of 6 ft above the equipment or to the structural ceiling, whichever is lower, must be dedicated for the electrical installation. No piping, ducts, or other equipment foreign to the electrical in-stallation can be installed in this dedicated footprint space.
Figure 110-17 (Click on image to enlarge)
Ex: Suspended ceilings with removable panels can be within the dedicated footprint space [110.26(E)(1)(d)].
Author’s Comment: Electrical raceways and cables not associated with the dedicated space can be within the dedicated space. These aren’t considered “equipment foreign to the electrical installation.”
Figure 110-18 (Click on image to enlarge)
(b) Foreign Systems. Foreign systems can be located above the dedicated space if protection is installed to prevent damage to the electrical equipment from condensation, leaks, or breaks in the foreign systems, which can be as simple as a drip-pan.
Figure 110-19 (Click on image to enlarge)
(c) Sprinkler Protection. Sprinkler protection piping isn’t permitted in the dedicated space, but the NEC doesn’t prohibit sprinklers from spraying water on electrical equipment.
(d) Suspended Ceilings. A dropped, suspended, or similar ceiling isn’t considered a structural ceiling.
ANALYSIS: The term “distribution board” is an outdated phrase that’s no longer used in the industry. The term isn’t defined, and, due to this, many inspectors disagree on what a distribution board really is. The easiest and best solution for the Code-Making Panel was to simply delete the term and avoid any misunderstandings and disagreements. |
2011 NEC Changes DVD Package |
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Don't let the scale of the code changes intimidate you, this package will get you up to speed on the most essential 2011 NEC changes quickly. The book is well-organized, easy to follow, and the full-color illustrations bring the material to life. The DVDs bring together a group of experts from the field to discuss the changes and how they apply in the real-world.
This program includes the following items:
- Changes to the NEC 2011 Textbook
- Changes to the NEC 2011 DVD 1 & 2 includes Articles 90 - 810
Product Code: 11CCDVD
Price: $198.00
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