Two thresholds, two separate tests. 1200 A or more and over 6 ft wide: an entrance to the working space at each end, unless the egress path is continuous and unobstructed or the working space is twice as deep. 800 A or more, with a personnel door less than 25 ft from the working space: that door opens at least 90° in the direction of egress, with listed panic hardware or listed fire exit hardware. The handbook treats them as independent: an installation can need one, the other, both, or neither.
| 110.26(C)(2): large equipment | 110.26(C)(3): personnel doors | |
|---|---|---|
| Trigger | 1200 A or more and over 1.8 m (6 ft) wide, with overcurrent, switching, or control devices | 800 A or more, with overcurrent, switching, or control devices |
| Width matters? | yes | no |
| Requirement | one entrance at each end of the working space, each at least 610 mm (24 in.) wide and 2.0 m (6½ ft) high | a door less than 7.6 m (25 ft) from the nearest edge of the working space opens at least 90° in the direction of egress, with listed panic or fire exit hardware |
| Relief | (a) continuous and unobstructed egress; or (b) working space twice the Table 110.26(A)(1) depth, with the entrance at least the table distance from the equipment | — |
Separate service disconnects grouped under 230.71(B): add their ampere ratings, and the lineup width counts. Your jurisdiction may enforce a different Code year; check which version applies.
At least one entrance of sufficient area shall be provided to give access to and egress from working space about electrical 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 610 mm (24 in.) wide and 2.0 m (6½ ft) high at each end of the working space.
The door(s) shall open at least 90 degrees in the direction of egress and be equipped with listed panic hardware or listed fire exit hardware.
Control by automatic means shall not be permitted to control all illumination within the working space.
Electrical equipment rooms or enclosures housing electrical apparatus that are controlled by a lock(s) shall be considered accessible to qualified persons.
Why: the primary intent is egress, so workers can escape if an arc flash incident occurs. One door at the wrong end means the way out runs past the fault.
Independent tests: the requirement for listed panic hardware is independent of the need for two exits from the working space.
No knobs: door-opening hardware should not need a doorknob turned, or any similar action, that could slow a quick exit in an emergency.
Lighting: timers and occupancy sensors are allowed, but not on every light; the handbook calls for a manual way to override them.
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, the one-line diagram, and the Code book. Check the lineup width and the door swing at layout. Any hand tool = Klein Tools.
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