110.26 sets two separate spaces. Working space in front of the gear protects the worker. Dedicated equipment space is the footprint of the gear, from the floor to 6 ft above it or to the structural ceiling, whichever is lower. Nothing foreign goes in it. Foreign systems above it need protection, which is why the drip pan hangs at the top of the zone, never inside it.
| Indoors — 110.26(E)(1) | Outdoors — 110.26(E)(2) | |
|---|---|---|
| Footprint | width × depth of the equipment | width × depth of the equipment |
| Measured from | the floor | grade |
| Up to | 6 ft above the equipment, or the structural ceiling, whichever is lower | 6 ft above the equipment (no ceiling term) |
| Dropped / suspended ceiling | not a structural ceiling; removable-panel ceilings permitted in the zone | — |
Ceiling 4 ft above the gear: a 4 ft zone. Ceiling 15 ft up: a 6 ft zone. Your jurisdiction may enforce a different Code year; check which version applies.
All service equipment, switchboards, switchgear, panelboards, and motor control centers shall be located in dedicated spaces and protected from damage. Exception: control equipment that by its nature or by other Code rules must be adjacent to or within sight of its operating machinery.
Dedicated electrical space: the width and depth of the equipment, from the floor to 1.8 m (6 ft) above the equipment or to the structural ceiling, whichever is lower. No piping, ducts, leak protection apparatus, or other foreign equipment in the zone.
(b) Foreign systems are permitted above the dedicated space with protection against condensation, leaks, or breaks. (c) Sprinkler protection is permitted where the piping complies with this section. (d) A dropped or suspended ceiling that adds no strength to the building structure is not a structural ceiling.
The working clearance space shall include the zone described in 110.26(A). No architectural appurtenance or other equipment shall be located in this zone.
The space equal to the width and depth of the equipment, and extending from grade to a height of 1.8 m (6 ft) above the equipment, shall be dedicated to the electrical installation. No piping or other equipment foreign to the electrical installation shall be located in this zone.
Permitted in the zone: busways, conduits, raceways and cables entering the equipment; building structural members; suspended ceilings with removable panels; outdoors, structural overhangs and roof extensions.
Kept out: plumbing, heating, ventilation and air-conditioning piping, ducts and equipment; leak protection apparatus, so the drip pan goes above the zone.
Sprinklers: the handbook drawing (Exhibit 110.24) covers both spaces with spray while the piping enters neither.
Outdoors: identified enclosures; protection from unauthorized people and vehicle traffic; protection from piping leaks. Before you set bollards or fencing, locate the underground wiring.
The field guide: Solar on the Busbar, every 705.12 method worked through with field numbers.
Check your plans: a quick $195 written review of one single-line diagram for a load-side PV connection, before you submit.
A tape and the Code book. Check the ceiling type before you measure the zone. Any hand tool = Klein Tools.
NEC 2023 Handbook (NFPA) · NEC 2023 code book · NEC 2026 Handbook (NFPA) · NEC 2026 code book · Ugly's Electrical References, 2023 · Klein 32500 11-in-1 screwdriver · Klein 9230 30 ft tape · WAGO 221 lever-nut kit
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