Change Summary

• In addition to 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 also have an illuminated face or an indicator light to indicate that there is power to the receptacle.

Expert Analysis

Since the 2008 edition of the NEC, Article 708, Critical Operations Power Systems (COPS), has been a part of the Code. This article addresses homeland security issues for facilities that are “mission critical” in disastrous times such as terrorist attacks, flooding, hurricanes, etc. The requirements for COPS designated buildings go far beyond those of Article 700, Emergency Systems. These COPS electrical systems must continue to operate during the full duration of an emergency or disaster and beyond. Examples of facilities that might be designated as a COPS system include police stations, fire stations, and hospitals.

Cover plates for the receptacles or the receptacles themselves in these COPS facilities are required to have a “distinctive color or marking so as to be readily identifiable” from other receptacles in accordance with 708.10(A)(2). An exception states that receptacle marking and identification of the COPS system receptacles are not required at a designated critical operations area (DCOA) that is a stand-alone building, as all the receptacles would then be supplied from the COPS system. For the 2017 NEC, this COPS receptacle identification has been taken a step further by requiring all nonlocking-type, 125-volt, 15- and 20-ampere receptacles supplied from the COPS to have an “illuminated face or an indicator light” to indicate that there is power to the receptacle.

This new illuminator or indicator light provision provides for ready and continuous ability to identify energized receptacles that are part of the COPS system. It is essential that nonlocking-type 125-volt, 15- and 20-ampere receptacles have either an indicator light or an illuminated face so that users of the receptacles know that they are energized in an emergency when not all receptacles are working. It is not uncommon for receptacles fed from the COPS system to remain de-energized until called upon in an emergency system. Such receptacles that test out to be “un-energized” could suddenly become energized. The COPS receptacle itself also needed an additional identification means to alleviate issues arising from remodeling the room (such as painting) and the original COPS receptacle cover plate not being re-installed properly on its original COPS receptacle.

The ability of a person to distinguish receptacles supplied from the COPS becomes more critical as receptacles controlled for the purpose of energy management or building automation become more prevalent as well [see 406.3(E)].

The Lev-Lok® line of Illuminated Receptacles include Duplex and Decora® configurations. The illuminated face makes it easy to identify energized receptacles in both light and dark conditions, making them ideal for use on Critical Operations Power Systems (COPS) circuits. They are available in both a traditional duplex configuration and an industry exclusive tamperresistant version, satisfying National Electric Code (NEC) requirements for safety while at the same time confirming power to the receptacle.