Code Change Summary: Revised code language on circuit descriptions.

The first important change to Section 408.4 is the code section heading itself.

For years the language in the NEC^® that provides requirements for circuit directories has been in Section 408.4 under the heading of “Field Identification Required”. In the 2023 NEC^®, the heading has been changed to “Descriptions Required”.

The best time to start looking for potential problems that could hold up a construction project is at the plans review stage before the permit has been issued. Plans examiners always require the plans to include all panel schedules when reviewing construction drawings before a project breaks ground.

Technically, the way this section heading was worded before, one could argue that the plans examiner had no business bringing up potential problems with the panelboard directory labeling since Section 408.4 provided “field” requirements.

The NEC^® requires panel schedules and circuit directories to have a great degree of detail so that service personnel and occupants of the building can easily locate an overcurrent device for a specific circuit or area.

Unfortunately, there is often little room on panel schedules provided by electrical panel manufacturers to go into detail when describing the circuits controlled by the circuit breakers. This sometimes results in the need for a larger panel schedule that doesn’t fit in the panelboard.

In the 2020 NEC^®, this issue was addressed by allowing the panel schedule to be located in an approved location adjacent to the panel door. In the past, panel schedules were required to be on the face of, or inside of the panelboard. Allowing the panel schedule to be located adjacent to the panelboard gives the electrician another option in case additional room is needed to accurately describe what each overcurrent device in the panelboard controls.

In the 2023 NEC^®, Section 408.4(A) was reorganized into a list and expanded to address symbols and abbreviations that are often used to shorten up lengthy circuit descriptions.

Now, when abbreviations or symbols are used, the panel schedule or circuit directory must be clear in explaining what the abbreviations or symbols mean. The following is a summary of the requirements in 2023 NEC^® Section 408.4(A):

Every circuit and circuit modification must have a legible and permanent description.

(1) For switchboards or switchgear, the description must be located at each switch or circuit breaker.

(2) For panelboards, the description must be included in a circuit directory that is located on the face of, inside of, or in an approved location adjacent to the panel door.

(3) Each circuit description must be clear, evident, and specific to the purpose or use of each circuit including spare positions with an unused overcurrent device.

(4) Each circuit must be described with a degree of detail and clarity that is unlikely to result in confusion between circuits

(5) Circuit descriptions must not be dependent on transient conditions of occupancy (a circuit labeled “Bob’s room” might only make sense to those who reside in the home at the current time).

(6) Circuit descriptions must be clear in explaining any abbreviations or symbols that are used.

Below is a preview of the NEC^®. See the actual NEC^® text at NFPA.ORG for the complete code section. Once there, click on their link to free access to the 2023 NEC^® edition of NFPA 70.