NEC silent on color code
- Thread starter jusme123
- Start date
- Status
- Location
- Illinois
- Occupation
- retired electrician
Because it is a design issue and not a code issue.
I don't believe it's because it's a design issue.
I honestly believe it's because it would cause other problems. For example, how many times have you seen red thhn that was really pink or orange. I've seen yellow that was orange, gray that looked black, etc etc etc.
It's hard enough for the manufacturers just to get green and white right.
I honestly believe it's because it would cause other problems. For example, how many times have you seen red thhn that was really pink or orange. I've seen yellow that was orange, gray that looked black, etc etc etc.
It's hard enough for the manufacturers just to get green and white right.
Would green and white be considered design issues?
I think its a safety issue not having a standard color code for the two widely used systems in the USA (120/208v and 277/480v). Take a look at 90.1(A)
White and green (as well as gray and green with one or more yellow stripes) are reserved respectively for the grounded and grounding conductors. Thier proper identification is a safety issue.
Although they may be a little different, they are always identifiable.
What if you opened a box and checked two different red wires to ground, wire 1 read 120v to ground, and wire 2 to ground read 277v. If the code was changed, the one red wire would have to be either brown/orange/yellow.
Then a qualified electrician [per 90.1(C)] would know it was installed prior to adoption of the 2008 NEC.
Now consider this: How would you treat a gray wire?
- Location
- Bremerton, Washington
The CMP panel has stated we don't want you to look at a black wire and assume its 120V. We want you to test and be sure.
Its interesting there are far more questions on this color code than on the re-identification of 6 and smaller neutrals and EGC with phase tape. Every electrician has violated 200.6 and 250.119.
Its interesting there are far more questions on this color code than on the re-identification of 6 and smaller neutrals and EGC with phase tape. Every electrician has violated 200.6 and 250.119.
hardworkingstiff
Senior Member
- Location
- Wilmington, NC
I don't remember you inspecting my work. How did you know? :grin:
with caution, as I have found green wires with 110v on them.
Tom has an operation just like Santa Clause. He's the original, and just like all the Santas you see in the stores every winter, he has his look-alike minions all over.
brian john
Senior Member
- Location
- Leesburg, VA
Not if you are a professional.
- Location
- Massachusetts
Because even when the NEC is not silent it is often ignored.
None of us should trust a color to tell us anything.
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Well said. The only person that I trust is my fiance and even then, if she were to tell me "the circuit is de-energized, trust me!", I would not trust her. I would LOTO first, then verify it with a meter. I would never depend on the color of a wire to tell me what the voltage was.
This situation is covered by the NEC 210.5 (C) Ungrounded conductors, where more than one nominal voltage is present each branch circuit conductor where accessible shall be identified by system.
roger3829
Senior Member
- Location
- Torrington, CT
What would prevent me from identifing all my 120/208 ungrounded conductors as black and all my 277/480 ungrounded conductors as red?
There is nothing in the NEC, some local jurisdictions may require a color code.
As for my post I was saying you can't have a red 120 volt conductor and a red 277 volt conductor in the same building. This is a 210.5 (C) issue.
billsnuff
Senior Member
- Location
- East of 480sparky
NFPA 79 2007 13.2 if you fall under that standard.
- Status