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702.7(C) Warning Sign at Power Inlet That is Fed by Generator

Change Summary

  • New Section 702.7(C) requires a warning sign at the power inlet of a portable generator used as an optional standby system
  • Exact warning sign language is provided for both bonded neutral and floating neutral connections specific to the portable generator used
  • Section 702.7(C) requires a label and 110.21 provides the general requirements for all labels
NEC® Text

 
702.7 Signs
(C) Power Inlet. Where a power inlet is used for a temporary connection to a portable generator, a warning sign shall be placed near the inlet to indicate the type of derived system that the system is capable of based on the wiring of the transfer equipment. The sign shall display one of the following warnings:

WARNING:
FOR CONNECTION OF A SEPARATELY DERIVED (BONDED NEUTRAL) SYSTEM ONLY
or
WARNING:
FOR CONNECTION OF A NONSEPARATELY DERIVED (FLOATING NEUTRAL) SYSTEM ONLY

Copyright© 2013 National Fire Protection Association

(See NEC for complete text)

Expert Analysis

Article 702 covers optional standby systems, which are those systems intended to supply power to public or private facilities or property where life safety does not depend on the performance of the system. Optional standby systems are intended to supply on-site generated power to selected loads either automatically or manually. The use of portable generators to supply standby power for these systems is permitted. The portable generators are not normally part of an electrical inspection, nor are they subject to inspection when an owner purchases a new one. Depending on the specific type of transfer equipment installed, this can lead to  dangerous situations such as paralleling grounded currents on both the equipment grounding conductor and the grounded conductor or to cases where the system does not benefit from a system bonding conductor or one that acts as such. Therefore, safety signage at the portable generator inlet location is a necessary part of the safety requirements. This signage notifying the user that the power inlet requires either generator bonding or generator floating neutral based on the wiring of the transfer equipment within the property.

 

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