The 16-in. space here is not wide enough, and the open exposed live wires and wire way size all lead me to believe that the person responsible for this mess had never seen the NEC. Section 110-26(a)(2) covers the necessary width of working space about electrical equipment. The width of the working space in front of the electric equipment is required to be the width of the equipment or 30 in., whichever is greater. In all cases, the work space must permit at least a 90-deg opening of equipment doors or hinged panels.