Equipment in front of Panel: Any device or equipment (except meters installed in meter socket), such as a transformer, should not extend more than 6 inches beyond the front of a panelboard. This was permitted prior to 1996 but is now against the NEC 2023 codes. Transformer clearance is the space required for electrical insulation, cooling, fire protection, operation, maintenance, lifting, cable work, and emergency access. There is no universal distance such as three feet on every side or one foot from every wall. For example EI 60; if additional fire separating wall is not provided, fire rating of the building wall should be increased, for example REI 90. 300 mm (12 in. Installed in a transformer room of fire-resistant construction. At. Abstract – Substation buildings exist at every petrochemical facility; located at the incoming power high-voltage substation or switchyard through all levels of distribution downstream.