Panel Labeling

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A/A Fuel GTX

A/A Fuel GTX

Senior Member
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WI & AZ
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Electrician
Just completed a new dwelling in a town I don't often work in. The final inspection was completed today and I was tagged for panel labeling. I always label the panel within reason, ex. , Master Bedroom, Bedrooms, Living Room, Lights, Laundry Room, Garage, etc. I am being asked to return to the job and correct panel labeling. I have no idea what more I can do. I looked in the 2017 for a reference to no avail. This municipality has a reputation to find " something ". How specific do I need to be?
 
You need to specify rooms and circuits in more detail, such as "master bedroom receptacles" or "north-east corner bedroom lights and receptacles." And, don't use terms that can change like "blue bedroom" or "Tommy's room."
 
Sure, put all that info down in a 1 1/2 " X 3/4" space? Maybe I write too large. Seriously, when someone sees a breaker that specifies, Master Bedroom, wouldn't common sense reveal it's all inclusive? If there is no code reference, I'm challenging this non sense. Why should I make a trip to satisfy some inspectors ego?
 
Hand written or label maker? We got tagged for hand written labeling not being legibly identified as in 408. 4 A
 
A/A Fuel GTX said:
Seriously, when someone sees a breaker that specifies, Master Bedroom, wouldn't common sense reveal it's all inclusive?
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If the circuit is the only circuit to the "Master Bedroom", and it doesn't serve any other rooms, and it is objectively clear which bedroom is the master bedroom, then I would agree that "Master Bedroom" is a perfectly fine label for such a circuit.

By contrast, here are some examples where one might disagree with the term "Master Bedroom", or prefer a few more words to elaborate.
1. Multiple circuits serve the "Master Bedroom", then I see a reason why you would want to add a few other words to distinguish them. For instance, "Master Bedroom Lights" and "Master Bed Receps". Or "Master Bed East Side" and "Master Bed West Side".

2. The circuit mixes loads of multiple rooms. One example would be if this circuit serves both the master bedroom and a hallway leading to it, you might want to describe it as "Master Bed & Bed Hall".

3. The bedrooms are not distinct enough that master bedroom is an objective term. It would be a matter of the occupant's opinion about which bedroom is the master bedroom. Describing bedrooms by location would be a better strategy in this case.
 
I know that it sounds nit picky but I agree with the inspector. It's a new job and the contractor should know what is on each circuit and spell it out clearly in the directory. For a service upgrade or a panel change out I would be a little more lenient because of the challenge to identify every circuit in great detail.

Just my 2 cents but IMO on a new dwelling project the customer deserves more than something hand written in the microscopic lines on the panel label because it is nearly impossible to make that code complaint with the amount of detail required.
 
Carultch said:
If the circuit is the only circuit to the "Master Bedroom", and it doesn't serve any other rooms, and it is objectively clear which bedroom is the master bedroom, then I would agree that "Master Bedroom" is a perfectly fine label for such a circuit.

By contrast, here are some examples where one might disagree with the term "Master Bedroom", or prefer a few more words to elaborate.
1. Multiple circuits serve the "Master Bedroom", then I see a reason why you would want to add a few other words to distinguish them. For instance, "Master Bedroom Lights" and "Master Bed Receps". Or "Master Bed East Side" and "Master Bed West Side".

2. The circuit mixes loads of multiple rooms. One example would be if this circuit serves both the master bedroom and a hallway leading to it, you might want to describe it as "Master Bed & Bed Hall".

3. The bedrooms are not distinct enough that master bedroom is an objective term. It would be a matter of the occupant's opinion about which bedroom is the master bedroom. Describing bedrooms by location would be a better strategy in this case.
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Seems logical, but I have been in on houses that moved a few times. Northwest bedroom at location 1 may no longer be northwest at location 2.

Then you have mobile and manufactured homes where they often number the bedrooms off the design plans. Bedroom 1 is somewhat meaningless 20 years later or even 1 year later when there is no longer any plans, unless maybe you post somewhat of a map at the panel that shows the room numbers or descriptions as used for panel labeling.
 
infinity said:
I know that it sounds nit picky but I agree with the inspector. It's a new job and the contractor should know what is on each circuit and spell it out clearly in the directory. For a service upgrade or a panel change out I would be a little more lenient because of the challenge to identify every circuit in great detail.

Just my 2 cents but IMO on a new dwelling project the customer deserves more than something hand written in the microscopic lines on the panel label because it is nearly impossible to make that code complaint with the amount of detail required.
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I seldom if ever identify that outlet in the hallway that is on the adjacent bedroom circuit in the panel directory.

I seldom read the panel directory to find what I want turned off either, circuit tracer is used most the time. Unless it is something more obvious like the range and there is only one 40 or 50 amp breaker. If it is a panel that I labeled when new, I might go by directory with more faith in what I am turning off.
 
kwired said:
Seems logical, but I have been in on houses that moved a few times. Northwest bedroom at location 1 may no longer be northwest at location 2.
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That's a good point too. For a building with a plausible chance of having it moved, cardinal directions aren't as objective as they ordinarily are. Perhaps in that case, what I would recommend is a laminated floor plan laminated to the vacant space of the inside cover, that identifies each room, as it is referred to within the panelboard schedule. Probably a good idea in a lot of cases, as it helps you avoid a lot of verbose labeling. The elephant in the room is what happens when that floor plan gets removed.

Another idea to solve this problem, is to label each receptacle and switch with the corresponding circuit number. That's neat for the electricians who know why that number is there, but unfortunately, the average home owner isn't going to care. One day, someone might paint, and mix up the faceplates. Or replace the faceplates entirely. You'd need to label inside the box, if you want the label to have a good chance of remaining in place, but now you have to expose live circuits just to see the number. Either that, or shut off the main and get a headlamp.
 
A/A Fuel GTX said:
Sure, put all that info down in a 1 1/2 " X 3/4" space? Maybe I write too large. Seriously, when someone sees a breaker that specifies, Master Bedroom, wouldn't common sense reveal it's all inclusive? If there is no code reference, I'm challenging this non sense. Why should I make a trip to satisfy some inspectors ego?
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Sounds like it may come down to interpretation.
But, you may have jobs in that locale in the future. You may be dollars ahead keeping your relationship as positive as possible for future inspections.
 
Srv52761 said:
Sounds like it may come down to interpretation.
But, you may have jobs in that locale in the future. You may be dollars ahead keeping your relationship as positive as possible for future inspections.
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It still is of value to get an understanding of why the work failed inspection, rather than just the binary of approve vs disapprove. That way, you can know what to do to #1, fix the situation so it can pass, and #2 know in advance how to solve similar problems correctly on the next job. The reason we have the NEC, is to have a standard for everyone involved in the industry to follow, and to eliminate as much subjectivity as possible. One shouldn't need to be a mind reader to get it right the first time.
 
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