Working Space for Electrical Equipment / Panel-PART-2

WORKING SPACE FOR ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENTS / PANELS (PART-2)

(D) ILLUMINATION:

Service equipment, switchboards, panel boards, as well as motor control centers located in indoors must have illumination and controlled by automatic means only.

(E) DEDICATED EQUIPMENT SPACE:

Switchboards, panel boards, and motor control centres must have dedicated equipment space as follows:

(1) INDOORS (110.26 (E))

(A) DEDICATED ELECTRICAL SPACE:

a dedicated electrical space is defined as the space equal to the width and the depth of the equipment extending from the floor to a height of 1.8 m above the equipment or the structural ceiling, whichever is lower. * No piping, ducts, or other foreign equipment can be installed in this dedicated Electrical footprint space. * Busways, conduits, raceways, and cables are permitted to enter through this Dedicated Electrical Space / zone.

(B) FOREIGN SYSTEMS:

Foreign systems can be located above the dedicated space if proper protection is installed to prevent damage to the electrical equipment from condensation, leaks, or breaks in the foreign systems, * This can be achieved by installation of simple as a drip-pan.

SPRINKLER PROTECTION SHALL BE PERMITTED IN THE AREA ABOVE THE DEDICATED ELECTRICAL SPACE IF THE ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT IS PROPERLY PROTECTED AGAINST WATER LEAKS OR BREAKS IN THE SPRINKLER SYSTEM.
Sprinkler System shall not be permitted in Working Space of Electrical Equipment. * Hence the sprinkler piping can run above the dedicated electrical space 1.8 m above equipment as long as the Electrical equipment below is protected from leaks, condensation, and even breaks by using dedicated Drip Pan. * But drip pans which may create an obstruction to sprinkler system discharge. So, it is always advisable to avoid locating sprinklers and sprinkler piping directly above electrical equipment and sprinklers and sprinkler piping are not permitted to be located directly within the working space for the equipment as shown in the figure.

Where all of the following conditions are met, sprinklers shall not be required in electrical rooms * (1) The room is dedicated to electrical equipment only. * (2) Only dry-type or liquid-type with listed K-class fluid electrical equipment is used. * (3) Equipment is installed in a 2-hour fire-rated enclosure including protection for penetrations. * (4) Storage is not permitted in the room.

(D) SUSPENDED CEILINGS:

A dropped, Suspended or other similar hanging ceiling that does not add strength to the building structure is permitted to be located directly in the dedicated space, because they are not considered structural ceilings. Building structural members are also permitted in this space.

(2) OUTDOOR:

(A) INSTALLATION REQUIREMENTS:

Switchboards, switchgear, panel boards installed outdoors must be Installed in identified enclosures * Protected from accidental contact by unauthorized personnel, or by vehicular traffic. * Protected by accidental spillage or leakage from piping systems

(B) WORK SPACE.

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. * Exception: Structural overhangs or roof extensions shall be permitted in this zone.

The footprint space (width and depth of the equipment) extending from grade to a height of 6 ft above the equipment must be dedicated for the electrical installation. * No piping, ducts, or other equipment foreign to the electrical installation can be installed in this dedicated footprint space.

(F) LOCKED ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT ROOMS OR ENCLOSURES.

Electrical equipment rooms and enclosures housing electrical equipment can be controlled by locks because they are still considered to be accessible to qualified persons who require access.

ENCLOSURE FOR ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS (110.31)

Electrical installations in an Electrical Room, or closed area surrounded by a wall, screen, or fence shall be access or controlled by a lock(s) or other approved manners. * Electrical Installation Area (Indoor and Outdoor) shall be accessible to qualified persons only. * The type of enclosure used shall be designed and constructed according to the nature and degree of the hazard(s) associated with the installation. * For Outdoor Type Electrical installations shall be covered by Fence.

(A) FENCE:

A fence shall not be less than 2.1 m (7 ft) in height or a combination of 1.8 m (6 ft) or more of fence fabric and a 300 mm (1 ft) or more extension utilizing three or more strands of barbed wire or equivalent. * The distance from the fence to live parts shall be not less than given in Table 110.31.

Min. Distance from Fence to Live Par…