The Legal Wiring Rules (Game Manual)
A guided tour of the FRC Game Manual electrical rules (R601-R626, R709) that inspectors check.
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Why the rules exist
The FRC Game Manual, Section 8 (Robot Construction Rules) defines what a legal robot looks like electrically. Inspectors check these at every event, and a non-compliant robot cannot compete. The rules exist for safety (180A+ batteries are dangerous) and fairness (everyone uses the same power budget). The R-numbers below reflect the 2025-2026 manuals; verify the current year's numbering and text each season - electrical rules change.
The key electrical rules
R601 - Exactly one non-spillable SLA battery, 12V nominal, 17-18.2 Ah, nut-and-bolt terminals, vents unobstructed (2026).
R604 - Charge at 6A average or less; chargers over 6A are banned in pits.
R606 / R607 - Battery must be secured; all battery/breaker terminals and connections fully insulated.
R609 - Main power path (battery, Anderson SB connectors, 120A breaker, PD) wired with 6 AWG copper or larger; names the legal 120A breakers (Cooper Bussmann CB185-120/CB285120F or Optifuse 153120/253120) and legal PDs (CTRE PDP/PDP 2.0, REV PDH, AndyMark PD for 2026).
R610 - One breaker/fuse per circuit (except the roboRIO/radio circuits in R615/R617).
R611 - The robot frame must not carry current - electrical isolation required between the electrical system and the frame.
R612 - The 120A main breaker must be quickly/safely accessible from the exterior; it is the only 120A breaker allowed.
R614 - Custom circuits limited to 24V (with a COTS PoE exception).
R615 - roboRIO power on a dedicated 10A-protected channel (PDP dedicated terminal, PDH 20/21/22, or fused PDP 2.0 channel).
R616 / R617 - Radio power: for 2026, supplied directly from a PD via passive PoE on the RIO port and/or the 12V input - the VRM and RPM are no longer legal radio power sources.
R618 - One wire per PD terminal - splice multiple wires into a single lead.
R619 - Only approved breakers (Snap-Action VB3/AT2/MX5, REV ATO, CTR ATO, ATM), all 40A or less.
R620 - Only approved fuses (ATM/ATC/ATO blade fuses) at the specified values.
R621 - Each branch protected per Table 8-3: motor controllers/custom circuits up to 40A; relays/PCM/PH/servo up to 20A.
R622 - Wire gauge by current (Table 8-4): 12 AWG (31-40A), 14 AWG (21-30A), 18 AWG (6-20A), 22 AWG (signal/CAN).
R624 - Color coding: positive = red/yellow/white/brown/black-with-stripe; negative = black/blue.
R626 - VH-109 PoE passthrough rules; the radio 12V input must be wired with 18 AWG or larger.
R709 - Robot Signal Light (RSL) required: one or two diagnostic RSLs (P/N 855PB-B12ME522 and/or am-3583), connected to the roboRIO 'RSL' terminals; if using the 855PB, jumper it for solid-light operation.
Passing inspection
Build to these rules from day one rather than fixing violations at the event. Common inspection failures: missing/incorrect RSL wiring, undersized wire, multiple wires in one terminal, an inaccessible main breaker, an outdated radio power path, and uninsulated battery terminals.
Sources
Key takeaways
- Section 8 (R601-R626, R709) defines the legal electrical robot, checked at every inspection.
- Core rules: one SLA battery (R601), 6 AWG main path (R609), 10A roboRIO/radio circuits (R615/R617), one wire per terminal (R618).
- For 2026, R616 removed the VRM and RPM as legal radio power; R609/R619 added AndyMark PD and CTR breakers.
- The RSL is required and wired to the roboRIO 'RSL' terminals (R709, P/N 855PB-B12ME522 / am-3583); R-numbers change yearly - re-check.
Lesson quiz
RequiredAnswer all 3 questions correctly to complete this lesson.
1.Per FRC 2025 rule R609, the battery, the Anderson SB connector, and the main 120A breaker must be connected with what minimum wire size?
2.What is the maximum rating of a circuit breaker allowed in a branch (channel) of the PDP/PDP 2.0/PDH under FRC 2025 rule R619?
3.What does FRC rule R601 require about the robot's battery?
Answer every question to submit.