Side clearance: There should be a minimum of 30 inches of clearance from the sides of all electrical equipment, but in no case less than the width of the equipment itself. This is referred to as the side-to-side working space. NEC Article 408 covers switchboards, switchgear, and Panelboards installation and applications. Walk into almost any garage or basement, and you'll see one of the NEC's most common red tags waiting to happen. It's been a. The National Electrical Code establishes electrical panel clearance requirements to ensure that the panel operates safely and has a clear space in front of it in case of an emergency. The panel should also have space for efficient airflow, as it may overheat.