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100 Accessible, Readily (Readily Accessible)

Revision

Change Summary

  • The use of a key is not considered taking an action such as the use of a “tool” to gain ready access. Crawling under something is not considered readily accessible.
NEC® Text

Accessible, Readily (Readily Accessible). Capable of being reached quickly for operation, renewal, or inspections without requiring those to whom ready access is requisite to take actions such as to use tools (other than keys), to climb over or under, to remove obstacles, or to resort to portable ladders, and so forth.

Informational Note: Use of keys is a common practice under controlled or supervised conditions and a common alternative to the ready access requirements under such supervised conditions as provided elsewhere in the NEC.

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(See NEC for complete text)

Expert Analysis

The definition of readily accessible has once again been revised for clarity. The phrase “to actions such as to use tools” was added in the 2014 NEC revision cycle. This added phrase concerning tools was interpreted by some Code users as a prohibition against the use of a key to gain access to an object needing ready access. CMP-1 clarified that locks do not prevent equipment from being readily accessible by adding the phrase “other than keys” following the word “tools” in this definition for the 2017 NEC. This revision will continue to allow a panelboard cover to be locked with a key while recognizing that the overcurrent devices located behind the panelboard’s operable lid or door are still “readily accessible.”

This definition also described having “to climb over or remove obstacles, or to resort to portable ladders, and so forth” as actions that would prohibit meeting the definition of “readily accessible.” For the 2017 NEC, having to crawl “under” obstacles was added to the definition.

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