California Code of Regulations › Title 8 - Industrial Relations › Division 1 - Department of Industrial Relations › Chapter 4 - Division of Industrial Safety › Subchapter 5 - Electrical Safety Orders › Group 1 - Low-Voltage Electrical Safety Orders › Article 4 - Requirements for Electrical Installations › GENERAL › Section 2340.16 - Work Space About Electric Equipment

Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 28, July 12, 2024
(a) Space about electric equipment.
Sufficient access and working space shall be provided
							 and maintained about all electric equipment to permit ready and safe operation
							 and maintenance of such equipment.
(b) Work Space. Working space for equipment
						  likely to require examination, adjustment, servicing, or maintenance while
						  energized shall comply with the following dimensions, except as required or
						  permitted elsewhere in these Orders.
(1)
						  Depth. The depth of the working space in the direction of access to live parts
						  shall not be less than indicated in Table 2340.16 unless permitted elsewhere in
						  these orders.
Distances shall be measured from the live parts if
							 they are exposed or from the enclosure front or opening if they are
							 enclosed.
(2) Width. In
						  addition to the dimensions of depth shown in Table 2340.16, the width of the
						  workspace in front of the electric equipment shall not be less than the width
						  of the equipment or 30 inches, whichever is greater.
In all cases, the workspace shall be adequate to
							 permit at least a 90 degree opening of equipment doors or hinged
							 panels.
(3) Height. The work
						  space shall be clear and extend from the grade, floor, or platform to the
						  height required by subsection (f) of this section. However, other equipment
						  associated with the electrical installation and located above or below the
						  electric equipment may extend not more than 6 in. (153 mm) beyond the front of
						  the electric equipment.
Table 2340.16 . Minimum Depth of Clear Working Space
							 at Electrical Equipment, 600 V or Less
Nominal
Minimum Clear
										Distance
Voltage to
Condition 1
Condition
									 2
Condition 3
Ground
Feet
Meters
Feet
Meters
Feet
Meters
0-150
3*
0.9
3*
0.9
3
0.9
151-600
3*
0.9
3.5
1.0
4
1.2
Notes to Table 2340.16:
Where the "Conditions" are as follows:
Condition 1--Exposed live parts on one side and no
							 live or grounded parts on the other side of the working space, or exposed live
							 parts on both sides effectively guarded by suitable wood or other insulating
							 materials. Insulated wire or insulated busbars operating at 300 volts or less
							 shall not be considered live parts.
Condition 2--Exposed live parts on one side and
							 grounded parts on the other side. Concrete, brick, or tile surfaces shall be
							 considered as grounded surfaces.
Condition 3--Exposed live parts on both sides of the
							 work space (not guarded as provided in Condition (1)) with the operator
							 between.
EXCEPTIONS:
*1. MINIMUM CLEAR
						  DISTANCES MAY BE 2.5 FT. (0.7 M) FOR INSTALLATIONS BUILT BEFORE APRIL 16,
						  1981.
2. Working space is not
						  required in back of assemblies such as dead-front switchboards or motor control
						  centers where there are no renewable or adjustable parts (such as fuses or
						  switches) on the back and where all connections are accessible from locations
						  other than the back.
3. Where rear
						  access is required to work on deenergized parts on the back of enclosed
						  equipment, a minimum working space of 30 in. (762 mm) horizontally shall be
						  provided.