Changes to Arc Flash Label Requirements in the 2026 NEC
Feb. 13, 2026
6 min read
KeyTakeaways
- The 2026 NEC removes the 1,000A threshold, requiring all service and feeder equipment, except in dwellings, to have arc flash hazard labels.
- Labels must now include the date of the assessment, not just the label application date, ensuring more accurate safety information. Clear labeling helps inspectors verify Code compliance, guides contractors in proper installations, and reminds electricians to use appropriate PPE
- The requirements align closely with NFPA 70E standards, specifying details like system voltage, arc flash boundary, incident energy, and PPE levels. These updates promote safer working conditions by standardizing hazard communication and fostering collaboration among industry professionals.
This “2026 NEC Insider Series” is written by Dean Austin, NFPA senior electrical specialist, master electrician, and former chief electrical inspector in Michigan. It intends to help electrical inspectors, electrical contractors, and electricians understand changes to the 2026 NEC and how all parties can work together — collectively as a team — to provide the safest electrical installations possible.
The 2026 edition of the National Electrical Code (NEC) is now available in both print and digital form through NFPA LiNK. As expected, there were a significant number of changes in this Code cycle, all aimed at ensuring safe electrical installations in our ever-changing electrified world. A substantial portion of these changes were structural in nature to make it easier for users to find information that will help with the installation or inspection of electrical wiring systems. Other changes were made to help better prepare the 2026 NEC to align with the proposed restructuring of the 2029 edition.
In Part 1 of this article series, we’ll focus on one of the major changes in Sec. 110.16 around arc flash hazard marking with a goal of having a positive impact on the safety of workers who engage with electrical equipment in their roles, such as electricians and electrical inspectors. This change appears to be creating quite a buzz in the electrical industry.
The change
Within the 2023 edition of the NEC, the requirements found in Sec. 110.16 around arc flash hazard warning only applied to service and feeder equipment rated 1,000A or more in other than dwelling units. So, what changed for the 2026 edition of the NEC?
The first obvious change was in the formatting and the renaming of the Section to arc flash hazard “marking” instead of “warning.” Although the terminology “marking” provides some additional latitude, in most cases, it is likely to be done in the form of an arc flash label that aligns with the requirements found in Sec. 110.16. To add clarity, the modifications to this Section also involved modifying the content into a list format for users to help find information more quickly.
Another significant part of the change involved the removal of the 1,000A or more threshold, which means all service and feeder-supplied equipment in other than dwelling units will require an arc flash hazard marking regardless of the size. While the specific types of equipment listed in Sec. 110.16 are examples, being presented with the preface of “such as” means that the equipment listed is not exhaustive in what will require an arc-flash hazard marking.
For example, fusible safety switches for HVAC equipment or motors may require servicing while energized. Because the safety switch is fusible, it means that it is serving feeder-supplied equipment, and it will need to be assumed as energized until it can be opened, with proper personal protective equipment (PPE) being worn, and tested/verified as deenergized.
The requirements for what must be displayed on the label or supplied by the equipment owner are consistent — but how they are displayed may not be. For example, in supervised industrial installations, there may be a QR code posted on the equipment. According to NFPA 70E-2024 [Sec. 130.5(H) Exception No. 2], these markings can be provided in a format that is easily accessible, like a QR code.
The 2026 NEC has made the marking requirements more explicit, requiring that one of the main items being displayed must now be the date the assessment was completed, rather than the date the label was applied, as was required under the 2023 NEC. This change ensures that more accurate and useful information is provided about the equipment’s assessment.
The other items that are required on the arc flash hazard marking in the 2026 NEC align closely with the requirements for arc flash hazard labels found in NFPA 70E, Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace. Whereas Sec. 110.16 in the 2023 NEC alluded to the use of NFPA 70E requirements through requiring the warning to be done “in accordance with applicable industry practice,” the 2026 NEC language specifically states it must be done to align with industry practice and goes on to spell out exactly what the marking must contain.
Comparison
It might be helpful to view the requirements by comparing the 2024 edition of NFPA 70E and the 2026 edition of the NEC. Section 130.5(H) of NFPA 70E, which addresses arc flash equipment labeling, requires the following to be displayed (items in bold are reflected in both NFPA 70E and 2026 NEC requirements):
- Nominal system voltage
- Arc flash boundary
- At least one of the following:
- Available incident energy and corresponding working distance, or the arc flash PPE category in Table 130.7(C)(15)(a) or Table 130.7(C)(15)(b) for the equipment, but not both
- Minimum arc rating of clothing
- Site-specific level of PPE
Section 110.16 of the 2026 NEC requires the following to be made available on the arc flash hazard marking:
- The nominal system voltage
- The arc flash boundary
- The available incident energy or minimum required level of personal protective equipment
- The date the assessment was completed
Based on the items listed in bold within both lists, there is a clear tie between the requirements found in NFPA 70E and the 2026 NEC. Although NFPA 70E does not require the date the assessment was completed to be listed directly on the label, it does require the method used to calculate the data to be documented and reviewed in intervals not to exceed five years.
Impact on the electrical industry
The arc flash hazard marking requirements in Sec. 110.16 of the 2026 NEC help ensure consistent labeling of service and feeder-supplied equipment, thereby raising awareness about electrical hazards. Arc flash labels assist inspectors in Code compliance, guide contractors in accurate installations, and remind qualified people of proper personal protective equipment (PPE) usage when working on or near energized electrical equipment.
Labeling requirements — such as nominal system voltage, arc flash boundary, incident energy, PPE levels, and the assessment completion date — clearly empower professionals to make informed safety decisions. By aligning with NFPA 70E, the arc flash hazard marking revisions help promote Electrically Safe Working Conditions (ESWCs), minimizing risks associated with energized conductors and equipment.
For the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ), Code compliance reviews are more streamlined. For contractors, installations will require precision to meet Code requirements and safety regulations. For electricians, these markings act as safeguards, reducing accidents and emphasizing adherence to safety protocols and procedures.
Ultimately, the updated Code requirements in Sec. 110.16 benefit all roles while fostering collaboration among industry professionals to create safer job sites and reduce injury risks. In a continually evolving electrical industry, the changes exemplify proactive measures addressing safety concerns.
Important Notice: Any opinion expressed in this column is the personal opinion of the author and does not necessarily represent the official position of NFPA or its Technical Committees. In addition, this piece is neither intended nor should it be relied upon to provide professional consultation or services.
About the Author
Dean Austin
Dean Austin is a senior electrical content specialist at the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). In his current role, he serves as an electrical subject matter expert in the development of products and services that support NFPA documents and stakeholders. Dean has more than 30 years of experience in the electrical industry, holding a master electrician license, an electrical inspector, and an electrical plan reviewer registration in the state of Michigan. He taught electrical apprentices for 10 years in the Associated Builders and Contractors’ electrical apprentice program. For 11 years, he was an electrical inspector for the state of Michigan, and for five years, as the chief of the electrical division within the Bureau of Construction Codes at the state of Michigan. At the state of Michigan, Dean was charged with enforcing the laws, rules, and codes governing electrical installations and licensing within the jurisdictional boundaries of the state of Michigan.
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