In this article, you will learn what is a nameplate, where to find a nameplate, and why a nameplate is an electrician’s most important line of defense to save money, prevent COSTLY mistakes, and truly become a great electrician who knows what they’re doing out there!
What We Cover in this Article:
- What is a Name Plate on Electrical Equipment
- How to Read a Name Plate and Identify Electrical Requirements
- Where to Find an Electrical Name Plate on Equipment
- Why Name Plates are VERY Important BEFORE Turning On Power
What is a Name Plate for Electrical Devices
A name plate is by far the most important piece of information an electrician should be using to verify what that piece of equipment needs in terms of Voltage, Amps, Phase, and Number of Conductors.
Even though we electricians are given an equipment schedule, spec sheets, and electrical panel schedule, the name plate is the ULTIMATE form of identification of what that electrical equipment requires.
(However, sometimes we don’t have access to a name plate as the equipment isn’t delivered yet on site! So we must rely on those other forms of equipment data to plan as much as possible).
Any electrical device REQUIRES a name plate.. I explain below where to look for them.
PRO TIP FOR ELECTRICIANS…
As soon as equipment is delivered on your jobsite, the wisest thing you can do is VERYIFY that the name plate lines up with your various information you have been given in your equipment schedule, spec sheets, and electrical panel schedule.
In other words, before ordering your wire, make sure what the equipment’s name plate says so you can order the right number of conductors, wire size, and prevent costly mistakes!
How to Read a Name Plate to Identify Electrical Requirements
Not all name plates are the same.
It all comes down to the type of equipment the name plate is on.
A TV for example is very basic in terms of power requirements, but things like motors a name plate is INCREDIBLY important, as it will often break down phase, voltage, amps, hertz (frequency), and other very useful things to know.
Since motors are much more demanding than basic electronics, this is why it’s very important to pull the right wire size, and have the proper circuit protection (circuit breaker or fuse), as motors can QUICKLY be a source of fast damage or fires.
The main things we electricians NEED to know about a name plate when it comes to pulling wire is:
- The correct VOLTAGE.. to make sure the electrical load has the proper potential.
- How much AMPERAGE (Current).. this is to make sure the wire can handle the amount of amps (it’s all about protecting the wire so it doesn’t overheat!)
- How many NUMBER OF CONDUCTORS.. some equipment needs two wires, some needs three, and some need four.. the wiring diagram can help with this, or looking for PHASE on the name plate.
- How many PHASES.. some motors are single phase (two wires), some are three phase (three wires).. make sure you know before you pull your wire, sparky! 😁
In addition to this information on a name plate, there’s other valuable details depending on your situation:
- Serial + Model Number.. you can easily look online, or contact a wholesaler, to find that broken part.. even if the equipment is out dated (it’s a HUGE lifesaver).
- Contact Number.. sometimes there’s a direct 1-800 number to contact the manufacturer..
- Wiring diagram.. this can be used to verify questions you have about the equipment, or if adding special equipment IN ADDITION to a motor.. (like a soft start, for example).
- It contains many things for other trades like PRESSURE.. that aren’t fully necessary for electricians.
Where to Find a Name Plate on Equipment
Now.. finding a name plate is not easy sometimes, but they are usually in common spots within certain equipment. I’ll give you some tips for finding a name plate to help speed you up.
- On the FRONT of a Device (Open the Door.. or on a Stove, the bottom pull out tray)
- On the BACK of a Device..
- Inside the Electrical Connection Compartment Cover
- If in doubt, find the model number, search online, and FIND THE MANUAL!
I will explain these more in-depth:
Most of the time, name plates are on the front of equipment. Sometimes you have to open the door, and it’s right inside. It is a heavy-duty sticker showing voltage, amps, phase, and sometimes wattage.
So the first place to start is on the front! (On a stove, try the bottom pullout drawer!)
If a name plate is not on the front of the unit, the next place to look is on the back (which sometimes sucks, cause you now have to move the unit around, or slide it out of position).
There is a very high chance it can be on the back, IF it’s not on the front.
If it’s not on the back, you MAY have to open the electrical connection compartment cover, and it MAY be in there. (You’ll want to turn off power to remain safe here).
If there is no name plate on the device, you’ll want to try to find the EXACT model number so you can search up the electrical device online, then try and find the manual on the manufacturer’s website which will tell you the electrical demands for that piece of equipment.
DO NOT JUST “WING IT”. Electricity does not mess around.. if that equipment is designed for specific specifications, and you don’t provide them, be ready for a bang, smoke, or a very bad sounding motor, which will reduce the life of the unit!
Why Name Plates are VERY IMPORTANT BEFORE Turning On Power
All electrical equipment that gets plugged into the wall, or directly wired with a home run, REQUIRES a name plate.
If you can’t find the name plate, then read through my finding a name plate section.
As mentioned, as electricians, very often the equipment like motors and panels aren’t yet shipped to the jobsite. We need to use our electrical prints to figure out how to prepare for equipment.
And to be VERY WISE.. AS SOON as the equipment shows up on the jobsite, make sure to check the name plate, because the name plate is the final verdict. It doesn’t matter what the equipment schedule, spec sheets, and electrical panel schedule says, the name plate is what matters.
If there is a discrepancy between any of these prints, a quick email to the electrical engineer is a great place to start. (Remember, email is the most powerful way to document your story.. a phone call is not!)
I hope you enjoyed this name plate article. You can leave a comment below..
Or.. check out some funny electrician jokes! 😂
4 comments
John
Hello Riley,
We have a restaurant that is being remodeled. The existing kitchen hood has a name plate however it’s been on since the early 80’s such that you cannot read anything on the nameplate. It’s worn off. What should we do? To be safe replace the entire hood? Fine by me…. The fire department will catch this during inspection time and may shut it down.
Thanks.
Riley Weller
You have a couple approaches.. but usually it’s most cost effective to replace WHILE renovations are happening (as it will be very inconvenient later on, and sometimes cost more).. you’ll also get your warranty if anything happens while running your business.
First: If you can’t read the nameplate, you can reach out to the local inspector which can guide you on what to do next.. (this is probably the best approach because they may know where to look)
Second: You can try to find a similar model online and hope it’s similar..
Third: Replace it and be confident your business can be run safe, and save you time later-on with a new product with warranty.
What caused a concern to look at the nameplat for the kitchen hood fan?
Howard
You made this topic very interesting and informative at the same time!
You made it very clear to me on why a nameplate is an electrician’s most important line of defense to save money! And you were able to explain each topic clear and understandable.
Do you have more tips on how to easily verify a name plate?
I appreciate the way you write. Great share!
Riley Weller
Hey Howard, thanks so much for the comment!
In the article above, I listed “Where to Find a Nameplate on an Electrical Device”, as well as how a nameplate works for electricians!
Here’s some places where you can find a nameplate on the electrical equipment, and find more information about that electrical load!:
Hope that helps..