black tape on white wire
- Thread starter ufer
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jxofaltrds
Inspector Mike®
- Location
- Mike P. Columbus Ohio
- Occupation
- ESI, PI, RBO
In 2008 you both would have been wrong but he is correct in the 2011.
(C) Circuits of 50 Volts or More. The use of insulation
that is white or gray or that has three continuous white
stripes for other than a grounded conductor for circuits of
50 volts or more shall be permitted only as in (1) and (2).
(1) If part of a cable assembly that has the insulation permanently
reidentified to indicate its use as an ungrounded
conductor by marking tape, painting, or other
effective means at its termination and at each location
where the conductor is visible and accessible. Identification
shall encircle the insulation and shall be a color
other than white, gray, or green.
- Location
- Tennessee NEC:2017
- Occupation
- Semi-Retired Electrician
- Location
- Chapel Hill, NC
- Occupation
- Retired Electrical Contractor
Not trying to be sarcastic but think about this-- why would you put black tape on a white wire if it were 120V. The idea is to mark the white wire of a cable as an ungrounded (hot) conductor. It should be taped another color if the circuit is 240V so that someone doesn't mistake the white wire as a neutral.
Even red tape would work good for that.
jaggedben
Senior Member
- Location
- Northern California
- Occupation
- Solar and Energy Storage Installer
It would be better, actually.
n1ist
Senior Member
- Location
- Massachusetts
- Occupation
- Principal Electrical Engineer
The only place that comes to mind is reidentifying the feed for a switch loop.
jxofaltrds
Inspector Mike®
- Location
- Mike P. Columbus Ohio
- Occupation
- ESI, PI, RBO
(C) Circuits of 50 Volts or More. The use of insulation
that is white or gray or that has three continuous white
stripes for other than a grounded conductor for circuits
of 50 volts or more shall be permitted only as in (1)
through (3).
(1) If part of a cable assembly and where the insulation is
permanently reidentified to indicate its use as an ungrounded
conductor, by painting or other effective
means at its termination, and at each location where the
Some said that tape was not permanent so that is why it was added.
That's why I carry this:
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PEDRO ESCOVILLA
Senior Member
- Location
- south texas
as an inspector, i have tradespeople second guess my calls all the time. i worked as sparky prior to this gig ( commercial/industrial and residential) i am familier with my code book, and electrical installation requirements. i know where to find it in the code book, i can show it to them. 99% of the time, they don't have a code book in the truck. pretty damn pathetic imo. if you don't have a code book, get one, read it, learn it, know it and apply it. if you are an electrician, or an inspector , that 's your job, never stop learning
jxofaltrds
Inspector Mike®
- Location
- Mike P. Columbus Ohio
- Occupation
- ESI, PI, RBO
I was referring to a switch loop. I see no reason to mark a white wire with black or red tape when it is connected to a breaker.
What about the code requirements of 200.7 to do so?
On a switch loop, the marked white wire can only feed the switch, not the return to the fixture.
Not required in MA.
- Location
- Bremerton, Washington
You and Pedro are making a lot of assumptions from my question. I did not second guess the inspector,I simply asked for clarification of the code. I DO have a code book and I keep one in the truck.
I have also found that some inspectors don't know the code and I have corrected them when they were wrong. I don't know every code and don't ever expect to but I do try to stay up to date. I knew the code section of the question I asked and I thought this only applied to marking the white wire on a switch loop. Thanks for the clarification.
They cost too much for one thing.
fmtjfw
Senior Member
- Location
- Fairmont, WV, USA
The idea of marking a white or gray wire in a cable is really simple:
The idea of marking a white or gray wire in a cable is really simple:
1) white or gray are reserved for conductor that is grounded and is a current carrying conductor.
2) when, the white or gray conductor is not used for that purpose, you mark it with a color other than white, gray, or green.
This gives the next electrician (who may be you) an indication that it may be energized.
In terms of not marking switch leg whites in MA, how bloody expensive is 1 inch of tape?
The idea of marking a white or gray wire in a cable is really simple:
1) white or gray are reserved for conductor that is grounded and is a current carrying conductor.
2) when, the white or gray conductor is not used for that purpose, you mark it with a color other than white, gray, or green.
This gives the next electrician (who may be you) an indication that it may be energized.
In terms of not marking switch leg whites in MA, how bloody expensive is 1 inch of tape?
- Location
- Wisconsin
- Occupation
- PE (Retired) - Power Systems
The NEC is one of several tools you need to own or have ready access to.
How many cordless power tools do you own?
John Deere Man
Member
- Location
- Colorado
Inspector
Inspector
Let me inject the article that the original post asked for. ART,200.7(C)(1) SIMPLY STATES THAT A MUTILWIRE CABLE ASSIBELY. The white wire being used as an ungrounded coductor. It shall be re-identified as to indicate the use @ terminating points (this would include but not limited to the breaker) this color shall be any other color other than white, gray, or green.
Inspector
Let me inject the article that the original post asked for. ART,200.7(C)(1) SIMPLY STATES THAT A MUTILWIRE CABLE ASSIBELY. The white wire being used as an ungrounded coductor. It shall be re-identified as to indicate the use @ terminating points (this would include but not limited to the breaker) this color shall be any other color other than white, gray, or green.
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