Overview

There are an estimated 30,000 arc-flash incidents per year. These incidents result in burns, hospitalizations, and even death. In keeping with the purpose of the National Electrical Code, “to protect persons and property from the hazardsarising from the use of electricity,” warnings indicating the potential of an arc-flash hazard are required in certain locations. The 2023 NEC has updated the requirements of these hazard warnings to better provide enhanced safety for electrical personnel. These updated requirements will help ensure the electrical professional knows where to put the warnings, what they are specifically for, and what ampere ranges are required.

Applying the 2023 Code

Section 110.16(B), which covers arc-flash hazard warnings for service equipment has been revised in the 2023 NEC. The revisions now include feeder supplied equipment, and not just service equipment. This change clarifies that subpanels meeting the requirements of this section also need arc-flash hazard warnings. Additionally, a revision has been made to specify that it is a permanent arc-flash label that is required, and not just a “permanent label.” This helps to clarify precisely what the label is to indicate. Lastly, and perhaps most impactfully, the labeling requirement has been revised to include equipment rated 1000 amperes or more. This is in contrast to the previous requirement of 1200 amperes. This reduction in ampere rating will require more equipment to have the arc-flash hazard sticker, which will aid in providing a safer environment for electrical professionals. Lastly, the outdated list items have been removed.

What’s New for the 2023 NEC?

2020 NEC

In the 2020 NEC Subsection 110.16(B) read as follows:

(B) Service Equipment.

In other than dwelling units, in addition to the requirements in 110.16(A), a permanent label shall be field or factory applied to service equipment rated 1200 amps or more. The label shall meet the requirements of 110.21(B) and contain the following information:

• Nominal system voltage
• Available fault current at the service overcurrent protective devices
• The clearing time of service overcurrent protective devices based on the available fault current at the service equipment

2023 NEC

In the 2023 NEC Subsection 110.16(B) reads as follows:

(B) Service Equipment and Feeder Supplied Equipment.

In other than dwelling units, in addition to the requirements in 110.16(A), a permanent arc flash label shall be field or factory applied to service equipment and feeder supplied equipment rated 1000 amperes or more. The arc flash label shall be in accordance with applicable industry practice and include the date the label was applied. The label shall meet the requirements of 110.21(B).