What are the Requirements for Electrical Panel Labeling?

There are quite a few different requirements that a business needs to be aware of when labeling their electrical panels. The specific requirements will vary quite a bit based on local and state laws, though there are also some federal laws and best practices that should be followed to keep the facility safe. In general, the three most important places to look for electrical panel labeling requirements are the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Of course, you will also want to reference any local agencies that may have specific requirements for your area.

The labels that are required for electrical boxes will usually focus on two things. The first is going to be safety-related labels. This could be something like a label to indicate how many volts are on a specific breaker, for example. You will also need to have the breakers labeled to indicate what area they will cut power to if turned off. This is important because if someone is in danger of electrocution or there is some other problem in one part of the building, it is important that someone can quickly identify which breaker is for that area and shut it off.

While some people comment that various regulations make it more difficult to get things done efficiently, the ones surrounding electrical panel labeling make a lot of sense. The information included on the labels will help anyone who is working on or around the panel to understand exactly what everything is used for, and what type of hazards are present. In addition, it will often allow an electrician to be able to complete jobs much more quickly and safer than would otherwise be possible. Make sure you understand all the electrical labeling requirements for your panels and keep them updated.