210.5 Identifying branch circuits
What changed in 210.5
Hot conductors from different voltage systems are now marked by phase or line plus system voltage class, and systems sharing a voltage class can use one scheme.
Point by point
- With branch circuits fed from two or more voltage systems, each hot conductor is marked with its phase or line plus its system voltage class.
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- 3 more points on exactly what changed
- The 2017 rule next to the 2020 rule, side by side
- Why it changed
- What to do and check on the job
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This section across NEC® editions
2020 NEC®RevisedYou're here
Hot conductors from different voltage systems are now marked by phase or line plus system voltage class, and systems sharing a voltage class can use one scheme.
2023 NEC®No change
This section did not change from 2020 to 2023.
2026 NEC®Revised
New rule for premises with only one voltage system: hot conductors just have to be told apart from neutrals and grounds. Feeders got a similar change.
Open the 2026 page →More 2020 changes in Article 210
This is a plain-English summary, not the NEC®'s exact wording. Always check the full section in the NEC® edition your area has adopted, plus any local amendments.
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