Design Safety Standards for Equipment Operating at 600 Volts or Less

The following design safety standard requirements apply to electrical equipment operating at 600 volts, or less, to ground.

Space Around Electrical Equipment, 600 Volts or Less

There must be sufficient access and working space around all electrical equipment to permit its safe operation and maintenance. This space must always be kept clear of equipment and debris. The minimum depth of clear working space at electrical equipment operating at 600 volts or less must be no less than three feet. Under certain circumstances, this measurement can be greater.

Working space around electrical equipment that is likely to require examination, adjustment, servicing, or maintenance while energized must have at least one entrance to give access to the work space and headroom of at least 6.25 feet.

There does not need to be working space in the back of dead-front switchboards or motor control centers in certain circumstances, such as the following:

• Where there are no renewable or adjustable parts like fuses or switches on the back
• Where all connections are accessible from locations other than the back

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