(f) Dedicated Equipment Space. All switchboards, panelboards,
distribution boards, and motor control centers shall be located in
dedicated spaces and protected from damage.
Exception: Control equipment that by its very nature or because of
other rules of the Code must be adjacent to or within sight of its
operating machinery shall be permitted in those locations.
(1) Indoor. Indoor installations shall comply with 1.10.2.1(f)(1)a
through (f)(1)d.
a. Dedicated Electrical Space. The space equal to the width and
depth of the equipment and extending from the floor to a height of
1 800 m above the equipment or to the structural ceiling, whichever is
lower, shall be dedicated to the electrical installation. No piping, ducts,
leak protection apparatus, or other equipment foreign to the electrical
installation shall be located in this zone.
Exception: Suspended ceilings with removable panels shall be
permitted within the 1 800 mm zone.
b. Foreign Systems. The area above the dedicated space required
by 1.10.2.1(f)(1)a shall be permitted to contain foreign systems,
provided protection is installed to avoid damage to the electrical
equipment from condensation, leaks, or breaks in such foreign
systems.
c. Sprinkler Protection. Sprinkler protection shall be permitted
for the dedicated space where the piping complies with this section.
d. Suspended Ceilings. A dropped, suspended, or similar ceiling
that does not add strength to the building structure shall not be
considered a structural ceiling.
(2) Outdoor. Outdoor electrical equipment shall be installed in
suitable enclosures and shall be protected from accidental contact by
unauthorized personnel, or by vehicular traffic, or by accidental
spillage or leakage from piping systems. The working clearance space
shall include the zone described in 1.10.2.1(a). No architectural
appurtenance or other equipment shall be located in this zone.
1.10.2.2 Guarding of Live Parts.
(a) Live Parts Guarded Against Accidental Contact. Except as
elsewhere required or permitted by this Code, live parts of electrical
equipment operating at 50 volts or more shall be guarded against
accidental contact by approved enclosures or by any of the following
means:
(1) By location in a room, vault, or similar enclosure that is
accessible only to licensed electrical practitioner or non-licensed
electrical practitioner under the supervision of a licensed electrical
practitioner.
(2) By suitable permanent, substantial partitions or screens
arranged so that only licensed electrical practitioner or non-licensed
electrical practitioner under the supervision of a licensed electrical
practitioner have access to the space within reach of the live parts.
Any openings in such partitions or screens shall be sized and located
so that persons are not likely to come into accidental contact with the
live parts or to bring conducting objects into contact with them.