Panel Directory - unable to locate circuits

[Samuel Ramser]

There are several existing electrical panels at our facility. We are trying to bring the panel directories up to date. Some of the circuits are marked unable to locate on the panel directory. The owner doesn't want to remove the wires connected to the breakers and marked them as spare breakers because he is concerned that something may get shut off that can't be located at this time. The circuits have been checked with an amp probe and don't indicate any load. Can you site any NEC violations that would prohibit just marking the breakers unable to locate and leaving the wires connected?

 

[petersonra]

There are several existing electrical panels at our facility. We are trying to bring the panel directories up to date. Some of the circuits are marked unable to locate on the panel directory. The owner doesn't want to remove the wires connected to the breakers and marked them as spare breakers because he is concerned that something may get shut off that can't be located at this time. The circuits have been checked with an amp probe and don't indicate any load. Can you site any NEC violations that would prohibit just marking the breakers unable to locate and leaving the wires connected?

The code only says the breakers have to be identified. if the identification is that they are unknown, as far as I am concerned that is adequate. I am not sure there is a specific requirement to update them anyway.

Personally I would want to know what they fed. I would just turn them off and see who squawked.

 

[Samuel Ramser]

Identification Required 408.4 (A)

Identification Required 408.4 (A)

Is the identification required in 408.4 (A) in compliance with the NEC if a conductor is connected to the circuit breaker and the directory is marked "unable to locate" ?

 

[petersonra]

Is the identification required in 408.4 (A) in compliance with the NEC if a conductor is connected to the circuit breaker and the directory is marked "unable to locate" ?

408.4 Circuit Directory or Circuit Identification. Every
circuit and circuit modification shall be legibly identified as
to its clear, evident, and specific purpose or use.

I guess it does require you to update things as you go.

"Unable to locate" is pretty clear and specific. This is one of those things I just would not worry about all that much. It would be on my list of things to "fix", but way at the bottom priority wise.

 

[charlie b]

A marking of "unable to locate" would give the next electrician the information needed to do the next project. It is not as much information as could be wished, but it is what is available. It would also help define the scope of work for the next project, in that some field investigation time would have to be included in the price. I would call that acceptable under the NEC rules.