408.4(A) Circuit Directory or Circuit Identification.

The identification shall be included in a circuit directory that is located on the face, inside of, or in an approved location adjacent to the panel door.
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The identification shall be included in a circuit directory that is located on the face, inside of, or in an approved location adjacent to the panel door.

Code Change Summary: Revised code language now permits the panel schedule to be located adjacent to the panel door.

A panel schedule with a great degree of detail is required to help occupants of the home or business to easily locate the overcurrent device for a specific circuit or area. Unfortunately, there is little room on the panel schedule provided by the manufacturer to go into detail when describing the circuits controlled by the circuit breakers.

The NEC® requires each circuit to be distinguishable from all others in the way it is documented on the panel directory or panel schedule. Sometimes, especially in commercial or industrial occupancies, panelboard schedules need to have an increased level of detail when describing what each overcurrent device controls.

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 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.

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 2020 NEC® edition of NFPA 70.

2017 Code Language:

408.4(A) Circuit Directory or Circuit Identification. Every circuit and circuit modification shall be legibly identified as to its clear, evident, and specific purpose or use. The identification shall include an approved degree of detail that allows each circuit to be distinguished from all others. Spare positions that contain unused overcurrent devices or switches shall be described accordingly. The identification shall be included in a circuit directory that is located on the face or inside of the panel door in the case of a panelboard and at each switch or circuit breaker in a switchboard or switchgear. No circuit shall be described in a manner that depends on transient conditions of occupancy.

2020 Code Language:

408.4(A) Circuit Directory or Circuit Identification. Every circuit and circuit modification shall be legibly identified as to its clear, evident, and specific purpose or use. The identification shall include an approved degree of detail that allows each circuit to be distinguished from all others. Spare positions that contain unused overcurrent devices or switches shall be described accordingly. The identification shall be included in a circuit directory that is located on the face, inside of, or in an approved location adjacent to the panel door in the case of a panelboard and at each switch or circuit breaker in a switchboard or switchgear. No circuit shall be described in a manner that depends on transient conditions of occupancy.

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408.4(A) Circuit Directory or Circuit Identification.

Below is a Real Question from our Electrical Continuing Education Courses for Electrical License Renewal:

Based on the 2020 NEC, which of the following is true?

A: Panel schedules are permitted in an approved location adjacent to the panel door.
B: Panel schedules shall only be installed on the exterior of the panel door.
C: Panel schedules shall only be installed on the interior of the panel door.
D: Panel schedules shall only be installed on adjacent to the panel door.
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