?
Tuesday, January 25, 2022
Question:
Hello CQD,
What does the NEC say about Panel labels as far as if they should be a certain color? Is a utility power panel a certain color for a label? Also, is an emergency power panel label red and ups power panel blue in color? If you could help me out as I am not finding it in the NEC code book. If you would attach where I can find this as well.
Thanks and Happy Holidays!
Matthew Pressley
A
Answer:
Hello Matthew,
Happy Holidays to you too, and thanks for the question. The NEC does provide information and guidance about criteria for developing signs and labels required by the NEC. Section 110.21(B) indicates that where caution, warning, or danger signs or labels are required by this Code, the labels shall meet the requirements in 110.21(B)(1) through (3). There is an important Informational Note referring to ANSI Z535.4 2011 which provides more specific guidelines for the development of these warning signs and labels. Criteria such as colors, font sizes, words, symbols, and locations are provided. See the full text of this section for the complete requirements. As far as colors for the labels that specific requirement would be provided in the specific NEC rule, such as in Article 700. There does not seem to be a requirement for "red" to be used as the color for an emergency system panelboard label. The general identification requirements are found in Section 700.10(A). Often red is used as the color to distinguish emergency equipment from normal equipment. There does not appear to be a blue color requirement for UPS equipment. There are often project specifications that drive the requirements for specific colors to be used for identification of systems and equipment.
Hope this is useful.