Older install- conductor acceptable color coding

[sw_ross]

I’m doing a remodel on an older residence that was built in the 30’s according to the GC. It’s an upscale home outside of Yellowstone and has a Lodge type feel about it.
The electrical was done in EMT which isn’t common in our area.
The original electrical install was pretty immaculate and appears to have been done by a company that does commercial work.

The interesting thing is that most of the 20 amp circuits are MWBC’s with the colors, black, green, and red. The black and green are L1 & L2, and red is the neutral. These are type R conductors.

The only conductors that are white are circuits that were added later on.

Was this color code common ever?

 

[don_resqcapt19]

While not common, the 2005 code was the first time the code language in 250.119 actually prohibited you from using the green insulated conductor for a purpose other than as an EGC.

 

[hbiss]

Maybe the electrician was color blind?

I guess the question now is what to do about it.

-Hal

 

[sw_ross]

Maybe the electrician was color blind?

I guess the question now is what to do about it.

-Hal

The panel needs to be updated. It’s an old Westinghouse.

 

[hbiss]

How extensive is this situation? Is every (old) circuit in the building wired with those colors?

-Hal

 

[sw_ross]

How extensive is this situation? Is every (old) circuit in the building wired with those colors?

-Hal

Yes. All original circuits (MWBC’s) use thi color scheme. No grounds were pulled in conduit. Conduit is EGC.
The only circuits that are different are newer/added circuits.

 

[jaggedben]

While not common, the 2005 code was the first time the code language in 250.119 actually prohibited you from using the green insulated conductor for a purpose other than as an EGC.

That late? Wow.

 

[jaggedben]

The panel needs to be updated. It’s an old Westinghouse.

EMT is great. You can pull new wire.

 

[hbiss]

EMT is great. You can pull new wire.

He may have to if the work is going to be inspected. No inspector is going to allow those colors in a new panel.

-Hal

 

[sw_ross]

Yeah, I’ll probably need to have a conversation with the inspector about this situation.