708.10(A)(2) Receptacle Identification.
Code Change Summary: New requirements were added for receptacle identification in Critical Operations Power Systems.
A Critical Operations Power Systems (COPS) is a power systems for facilities that require continuous operation for the reasons of public safety, emergency management, national security, or business continuity. Informational note 1 just after the scope of Article 708 states says that COPS are generally installed in vital infrastructure facilities that, if destroyed or incapacitated, would disrupt national security, the economy, public health or safety. These systems use enhanced electrical infrastructure for continuity of operation as deemed necessary by governmental authority.
In the 2017 NEC®, the rules for identification of nonlocking-type, 125-volt, 15- and 20-ampere receptacles supplied from the COPS have been expanded to require an illuminated face or an indicator light. This new change will make it easier to identify that power is present at the receptacle.
The new requirements were added with the hopes that the additional illuminated receptacle face will provide redundancy in the event that the distinctively colored cover plate (also required in the same code section) is replaced in the future with a normal cover plate.
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 2017 NEC® edition of NFPA 70.
2014 Code Language:
708.10(A)(2) Receptacle Identification.
(2) Receptacle Identification. In a building in which COPS are present with other types of power systems described in other sections in this article, the cover plates for the receptacles or the receptacles themselves supplied from the COPS shall have a distinctive color or marking so as to be readily identifiable.
Exception: If the COPS supplies power to a DCOA that is a stand-alone building, receptacle cover plates or the receptacles themselves shall not be required to have distinctive marking.
2017 Code Language:
708.10(A)(2) Receptacle Identification. In a building in which COPS are present with other types of power systems described in other sections in this article, the cover plates for the receptacles or the receptacles themselves supplied from the COPS shall have a distinctive color or marking so as to be readily identifiable. Nonlocking-type, 125-volt, 15- and 20-ampere receptacles supplied from the COPS shall have an illuminated face or an indicator light to indicate that there is power to the receptacle.
Exception: If the COPS supplies power to a DCOA that is a stand-alone building, receptacle cover plates or the receptacles themselves shall not be required to have distinctive marking.