If the transformer station is not 15 feet off the ground or housed, it must have a fence and a locked gate. How close can the fence be to energized parts?

• A. 1 foot
• B. 3 feet
• C. 5 feet
• D. 7 feet

Answer: (B)

Keeping energized electrical parts protected by a safe barrier relies on a proper clearance between the live equipment and any access boundary. When a transformer station isn’t elevated or housed, a fence with a locked gate must be placed with a buffer from the energized parts to prevent accidental contact and to give workers room to work safely without reaching into the live area. The minimum distance allowed is three feet. That three-foot gap provides a practical safety margin, reducing the risk of someone reaching through or over the fence into energized components and giving room for insulating barriers and normal gate operation. Distances like one foot would be risky because they leave little room to avoid contact, while larger gaps (five or seven feet) aren’t required by this rule and would unnecessarily enlarge the fenced area.