If you’ve ever seen the warning labels on electrical panels in your facility, you’ve encountered arc flash labeling. Starting in 2026, major changes to the National Electrical Code (NEC) Article 110 will affect how these labels must be applied and maintained in commercial, industrial, and agricultural facilities across Arkansas. Arc flash events occur when electrical current travels through air between conductors, creating an explosive release of energy that generates intense heat exceeding 35,000°F, four times hotter than the sun’s surface. These incidents can happen during routine electrical work or equipment failures, causing severe injuries or fatalities in a fraction of a second. The 2026 NEC changes recognize that effective arc flash labeling is essential for protecting anyone who works on or near electrical equipment in your facility.
What’s Changing in 2026
The updated NEC Article 110 requirements expand and clarify arc flash labeling obligations for facility owners and operators. While arc flash labeling has been required for years, the 2026 code strengthens these requirements with more specific language about what information must be included on labels, where labels must be placed, and how they must be maintained over time. One significant change involves the scope of equipment requiring labels. The new requirements clarify that arc flash labels are needed not just on main switchboards and panelboards, but on a broader range of electrical equipment where workers might perform tasks that could expose them to hazards. For Arkansas businesses with extensive electrical distribution systems like manufacturing plants, processing facilities, or large commercial buildings, this could mean labeling dozens or even hundreds of pieces of equipment that weren’t previously labeled.
Why This Matters for Your Business
Beyond the obvious safety benefits of protecting workers from serious injury, the 2026 NEC changes have practical implications for business operations and liability. Facilities that don’t comply with current electrical code requirements face potential citations during inspections, increased liability if incidents occur, and possible insurance complications. As jurisdictions across Arkansas adopt the 2026 NEC, typically within a year or two of publication, businesses will need to update their arc flash labeling to remain compliant. The enhanced labeling requirements also affect how electrical work can be performed in your facility, as electrical contractors and maintenance personnel rely on arc flash labels to determine what personal protective equipment they need and what safety procedures to follow. Missing, outdated, or inaccurate labels can delay maintenance work while hazard assessments are performed, or worse, lead to incidents because workers didn’t have the information needed to protect themselves adequately.
The Arc Flash Study and Compliance Process
Compliance with the new labeling requirements typically starts with an arc flash hazard analysis, a comprehensive engineering study that calculates the potential arc flash energy at various points in your electrical system. These studies consider factors including available fault current, protective device characteristics, equipment ratings, and system configuration to determine what information appears on arc flash labels and what safety measures are necessary. For businesses that haven’t had recent arc flash studies, the 2026 requirement changes provide a good opportunity to establish baseline documentation of electrical system hazards. Many facilities discover through arc flash studies that relatively modest improvements to protective device settings or equipment can significantly reduce arc flash hazards and improve overall electrical system safety.
Planning Timeline and Early Action Benefits
Preparing for these requirements sooner rather than later offers several advantages. Arc flash studies take time to schedule and complete, particularly for large or complex facilities, and label production and installation represents additional coordination. Facilities that wait until adoption deadlines approach may find service providers booked with other businesses rushing to comply, leading to delays and potentially higher costs. Early compliance also demonstrates proactive commitment to worker safety, something that matters to employees, insurance carriers, and regulatory agencies. Starting the compliance process now allows time to phase the work, budget appropriately, and address any system improvements identified during arc flash studies.
Ongoing Maintenance and Updates
Arc flash labeling isn’t a one-time project but an ongoing responsibility that requires attention whenever electrical systems change. Adding equipment, modifying protective device settings, changing utility service characteristics, or upgrading portions of electrical systems can all affect arc flash hazard levels and require label updates. The 2026 NEC requirements emphasize this ongoing responsibility by clarifying that labels must be maintained and updated to reflect current system conditions. Establishing procedures for reviewing and updating arc flash labels when electrical systems change helps maintain compliance and ensures workers always have accurate safety information. Many businesses incorporate arc flash label reviews into their regular electrical maintenance programs, checking labels during annual inspections and updating them as needed.
Working with Qualified Professionals
Arc flash hazard analysis requires specialized engineering expertise and sophisticated electrical system modeling that most facilities don’t have in-house. Professional electrical engineering firms and contractors experienced in arc flash studies provide the analysis, calculations, and documentation needed for compliance with NEC requirements. Choosing service providers with relevant experience in your industry and facility type ensures arc flash studies address the specific characteristics and challenges of your operations. Industrial facilities have different considerations than commercial buildings, while agricultural operations present unique factors that affect arc flash hazards and labeling requirements. Experienced providers can complete studies efficiently, minimize disruptions to operations, and deliver practical recommendations tailored to your specific circumstances.
Protecting Your Workers and Your Business
The 2026 NEC Article 110 changes reflect growing recognition that arc flash hazards represent serious risks requiring comprehensive protective measures. For Arkansas businesses operating industrial, commercial, and agricultural facilities, these requirements mean evaluating current arc flash labeling, conducting or updating arc flash studies as needed, and ensuring all equipment is properly labeled before adoption deadlines arrive. While compliance requires investment in engineering studies and label installation, the protection these measures provide for workers and the business itself makes this investment worthwhile. Arc flash incidents can devastate families, disrupt operations, generate significant liability, and damage reputations built over years. As electrical contractors helping Arkansas businesses navigate these requirements, we’re ready to discuss how the 2026 NEC changes might affect your facility and help you develop practical approaches to compliance that enhance safety while meeting regulatory obligations. Protecting your workers isn’t just about following code requirements, it’s about ensuring everyone goes home safely at the end of every day.
This blog post was created by Ag Electric Services, LLC, an Arkansas based electrical and general contractor serving the following areas of Central and Eastern Arkansas: McCrory, Augusta, Newport, Wynne, Brinkley, Des Arc, Forrest City, Hickory Ridge, Cherry Valley, Tuckerman, Jonesboro, Searcy, Pangburn, Heber Springs, Greers Ferry, Rosebud, Quitman, Romance, Kensett, Georgetown, Cabot, Beebe, El Paso, Hickory Plains, Carlisle, Lonoke, Little Rock, North Little Rock, Sherwood, Jacksonville, Maumelle, Conway, Mayflower, Vilonia. If you would like more information about the services we provide, please click “Services” in the main menu, or contact us through the online information request form on the “Contact Us” page.