How have NEC 2023 equipment marking requirements changed?
Overview
With the large variation of equipment encountered in the electrical field, it is critical that information placed on the equipment be durable and permanent enough to convey critical information to personnel that may need such information
in the future. Items such as the manufacturer’s name, equipment voltage and current, or other ratings may need to accessed long after the initial installation. Reconditioned equipment needs to make it clear that it is reconditioned, and field applied hazard markings must withstand the test of time and continue to warn of the hazards for many years. The language in each of the applicable subdivisions of Section 110.21 include updated language regarding each of these requirements.
Applying the 2023 Code
NEC 2023 has revised existing requirements for equipment markings. Subdivision 110.21(A)(1) has been revised to require equipment markings to be “affixed” to the equipment, not just “placed on” the equipment as previously stated. This requirement is intended to ensure that markings such as voltage/current ratings do not fall off the equipment over time. Rivets or screws may be required. Subdivision 110.21(A)(2) has been revised to clarify that the original listing mark on reconditioned equipment is to be removed or made permanently illegible. Some confusion in the field caused personnel to remove the entire nameplate because of the wording in previous editions of The Code. This revision makes it clear that it is only the listing that needs to be destroyed. Finally, Subdivision 110.21(B)(1) has been revised to require field-applied hazard markings to be “of sufficient durability to withstand the environment involved.” The idea behind this change is to ensure that environments do not prematurely degrade the legibility of the hazard labels.
What’s New for the 2023 NEC?
2020 NEC
In the 2020 NEC Section 110.21 read as follows (excluding informational notes and exceptions):
110.21 Marking.
(A) Equipment Markings.
(1) General.
The manufacturer’s name, trademark, or other descriptive marking by which the organization responsible for the product can be identified shall be placed on all electrical equipment. Other markings that indicate voltage, current, wattage, or other ratings shall be provided as specified elsewhere in this Code. The marking or label shall be of sufficient durability to withstand the environment involved.
(2) Reconditioned Equipment.
Reconditioned equipment shall be marked with the name, trademark, or other descriptive marking by which the organization responsible for reconditioning the electrical equipment can be identified, along with the date of the reconditioning.
Reconditioned equipment shall be identified as “reconditioned” and the original listing mark removed. Approval of the reconditioned equipment shall not be based solely on the equipment’s original listing.
(B) Field-Applied Hazard Markings.
Where caution, warning, or danger signs or labels are required by this Code, the labels shall meet the following requirements:
(1) The marking shall warn of the hazards using effective words, colors, symbols, or any combination thereof.
Informational Note: ANSI Z535.4-2011, Product Safety Signs and Labels, provides guidelines for suitable font sizes, words, colors, symbols, and location requirements for labels.
(2) The label shall be permanently affixed to the equipment or wiring method and shall not be handwritten.
Exception to (2): Portions of labels or markings that are variable, or that could be subject to changes, shall be permitted to be handwritten and shall be legible.
(3) The label shall be of sufficient durability to withstand the environment involved.
2023 NEC
In the 2023 NEC Section 110.21 reads as follows (excluding informational notes and exceptions):
110.21 Marking.
(A) Equipment Markings.
(1) General.
The manufacturer’s name, trademark, or other descriptive marking by which the organization responsible for the product can be identified shall be applied or affixed onto all electrical equipment. Other markings that indicate voltage, current, wattage, or other ratings shall be provided as specified elsewhere in this Code. The marking shall be of sufficient durability to withstand the environment involved.
(2) Reconditioned Equipment.
Reconditioned equipment shall be marked with the following:
(1) Name, trademark, or other descriptive marking of the organization that performed the reconditioning
(2) The date of the reconditioning
(3) The term reconditioned or other approved wording or symbol indicating that the equipment has been reconditioned
The original listing mark shall be removed or made permanently illegible. The equipment nameplate shall not be required to be removed or made permanently illegible, only the part of the nameplate that includes the listing mark, if applicable. Approval of the reconditioned equipment shall not be based solely on the equipment’s original listing.
(B) Field-Applied Hazard Markings.
Where caution, warning, or danger hazard markings such as labels or signs are required by this Code, the markings shall meet the following requirements:
(1) The marking shall be of sufficient durability to withstand the environment involved and warn of the hazards using effective words, colors, symbols, or any combination thereof.
(2) The marking shall be permanently affixed to the equipment or wiring method and shall not be handwritten.
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