200.4(B) interpretation needed

[Coppersmith]

(NEC 2014) 200.4(B) says neutrals shall be identified or grouped to correspond with ungrounded conductors by wire markers, cable ties, ...

Does this mean I can just put matching numbers on the neutrals and hots and they don't have to be physically tied together?

Inspector said: separate neutral and pair up to branch circuit with wire ties label as individual circuit in new panel as per NEC article 200.4 B
which seems to indicate he wants them tied together.

(Before you start pointing to the exceptions, I extended the wires from the old panel into a new one so no overall jacket.)

 

[infinity]

Yes, if you number each conductor you can eliminate the silly piece of tape or cable tie buried in the back of the panel.

 

[GoldDigger]

I imagine that the inspector is reading " by wire markers, cable ties," as if the words were " by wire markers and cable ties,".
He is wrong in that.

That said, if the sheath does not enter the panel there are potential issues with the wire type identification of the conductors inside the NM if he is going to get very picky.
All in all, what would it hurt to put a cable tie around each group just inside the entry to the panel enclosure? In addition to the more useful numbering.

 

[infinity]

When this requirement first entered the NEC there was no provision for simply numbering all of the conductors. That was added in the next code cycle.

 

[DrSparks]

My supply house has a striping machine. I have them stripe white wire with black, red and blue stripes. Saves a lot of time IMO and they do it for free.

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[augie47]

My supply house has a striping machine. I have them stripe white wire with black, red and blue stripes. Saves a lot of time IMO and they do it for free.

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I think that starting with the '11 Code the marking methods changed so that was no longer an acceptable method. I believe it's now 3 continuous white stripes. Made life more complicated.

 

[DrSparks]

Wow really? I guess the inspectors haven't got me yet. Not that they would ever check...

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[Coppersmith]

[W]hat would it hurt to put a cable tie around each group just inside the entry to the panel enclosure? In addition to the more useful numbering.

I would prefer to cable tie the groups. In this case numbering would not be necessary. But the wiring is already done and while there is sufficient slack for how the panel was wired, there is not sufficient slack if I have to rearrange the wires into groups and tie them.

 

[infinity]

I would prefer to cable tie the groups. In this case numbering would not be necessary. But the wiring is already done and while there is sufficient slack for how the panel was wired, there is not sufficient slack if I have to rearrange the wires into groups and tie them.

We individually number each conductor so the addition of the cable tie/tape grouping is redundant and for us a waste of time. Now you have the option to do it either way.