Section 110.26(E) describes a dedicated equipment space for certain types of equipment – switchboards, panelboards and motor control centers – that must be protected from damage and for which some access for installation of cables or raceways is likely to be needed.

This is a completely different type of space requirement from working space that has different dimensions and applies only to a specific list of equipment rather than to equipment likely to be serviced while energized. No judgment is necessary as to whether or not equipment is likely to be worked on while energized. If the equipment is in the list, dedicated space is required; if not, there is no requirement for dedicated space for that equipment.

The width and depth of the dedicated space are the same as the width and depth of the equipment. The height of the required space extends above and below the equipment in the same dimensions as the width and depth of the equipment. This space is intended to be dedicated to the electrical installation, not just to that one piece of equipment.