what colors are designated in the nec to be used to mark primarily 208 thru 480v 3ph systems? the only ref i cld find was orange on high leg mid-point delta. typically red, blue, brown, orange, yellow are used to mark phase. what is theright application for the right voltage and system?
marking phases
- Thread starter pomeroy
- Start date
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- Location
- Massachusetts
Any color you want other than green, gray, white or bare.
hillbilly1
Senior Member
- Location
- North Georgia mountains
- Occupation
- Owner/electrical contractor
Just as iwire stated, as long as different systems are identified. There is some requirements for isolated systems for surgical room wiring, but for general use, any color you like. other than those designated for the grounded conductor and equipment grounds. I have heard in Texas it is still common to use Yellow, Brown and Purple for 480 three phase. A lot of places use Brown, Orange and Yellow for 480 because it was hard to tell Brown and Purple apart in a J-box above a dark ceiling.
Welcome to the Forum.
As always, it's best to check with the AHJ in the area of your job as some jurisdictions have local restrictions on identification.
For example, some of the AHJs in this area restrict the use of orange to the high-leg delta only leading to a common practice of Brown-Purple-Yellow on 480 volt.
As always, it's best to check with the AHJ in the area of your job as some jurisdictions have local restrictions on identification.
For example, some of the AHJs in this area restrict the use of orange to the high-leg delta only leading to a common practice of Brown-Purple-Yellow on 480 volt.
Barndog
Senior Member
- Location
- Spring Creek Pa
where i work at we use Brown, orange, Yellow for 480/277 with grey for the grounded conductor.
and Blue, Red, Black for 208/120 with White as the grounded conductor
and Blue, Red, Black for 208/120 with White as the grounded conductor
Black, Red, Blue, White and Brown, Orange, Yellow, Grey are traditional color markings. For most of us those patterns are a hard fast rule.
I once purchased a 5,000 roll of purple #10 stranded for $50 from a mom & pop supply house. (Nobody would buy it because of the color.) Took me two years to use it up. The inspectors used to challenge me on because it wasn't black. First thing I would tell them was that electricity doesn't know what color the insulation is. Then I would remind them that the Code only required the orange marking on high leg of a delta system (for phases.)
I once purchased a 5,000 roll of purple #10 stranded for $50 from a mom & pop supply house. (Nobody would buy it because of the color.) Took me two years to use it up. The inspectors used to challenge me on because it wasn't black. First thing I would tell them was that electricity doesn't know what color the insulation is. Then I would remind them that the Code only required the orange marking on high leg of a delta system (for phases.)
Last edited:
- Location
- Illinois
- Occupation
- retired electrician
To consider it a hard and fast rule can be dangerous. Never rely on any color, even white or green, to tell you voltage or function of the wire.
- Location
- Bremerton, Washington
- Occupation
- Master Electrician
I'll move this to the NEC topic
harbormaster
Member
- Location
- Cypress, Republic of Texas
Or this...Black/Red type TC control cables from the duct bank of a 345K volt substation coming off of Gibbons Creek!
brian john
Senior Member
- Location
- Kilmarnock, Va
- Occupation
- Retired after 52 years in the trade.
Do you mean in your area?
Unless you have a local rule your AHJ's are dolts. I would have utilized that roll on any job I needed that size conductor. Though marking number 10 is a PIA.
hillbilly1
Senior Member
- Location
- North Georgia mountains
- Occupation
- Owner/electrical contractor
Definetly! We took over a Wal Mart job that the original contractor was nearly done, but went under. Every wire in the building was Black, Red, Blue or White. 277/480, 120/208 and 120/240. I do not know why the inspector passed it, apparently he didn't know any more than the contractor.
hurk27
Senior Member
- Location
- Portage, Indiana NEC: 2008
marking of ungrounded conductors for different voltages systems was required in 2002? 210.4(D) and I think its in my 1999?
hurk27
Senior Member
- Location
- Portage, Indiana NEC: 2008
yep your right, guess I'm still learning
It was in the 2005, but not as clear as the 2008.
chicar
Senior Member
- Location
- Lancaster,Pa
It would really be nice if we as electricians could make this a contious effort to mark the wires with the right colors. I allways use the color codes on my wires because it is so nice to identify what the wires are without touching them with a voltage tester, and yes you can be sure my markings are true. I am a professional at my trade
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