A non-black wire as the base for all phases

[Charlypt]

Hello everyone.
I have to wire a 277/480V service and I would like to know if I can use a non-black (orange) 300 kcmil wire as a base and then mark each phase.
It's kind of weird, you usually do this with black wire, but I have a huge roll of orange wire waiting for its big day.
Thanks in advance.

 

[infinity]

Yes orange 300 kcmil can be reidentified.

 

[Charlypt]

Yes orange 300 kcmil can be reidentified.

Thanks for your answer.

To clarify, I can use the orange wires for all phases and mark with color tape. For example:
Phase A: orange with brown tape
Phase B: orange (the color of the wire)
Phase C: orange with yellow tape
Neutral: orange with white tape (?)

 

[LarryFine]

Yeppers. No rule says that only black may be re-identified.

 

[jaggedben]

Yes, allowed.

Note that the white tape could be an issue if you have, say, a 208/120V system in the same site. Maybe go with grey.

 

[mtnelect]

Why complicate everything for everyone that comes upon your screwup ... Take that roll of black and recycle it, like I do after each job. Then use the proper colored wire.

 

[LarryFine]

Thanks for your answer.

To clarify, I can use the orange wires for all phases and mark with color tape. For example:
Phase A: orange with brown tape
Phase B: orange (the color of the wire)
Phase C: orange with yellow tape
Neutral: orange with white tape (?)

Yes. #4 or bigger.

 

[LarryFine]

Why complicate everything for everyone that comes upon your screwup ...

What screw-up?

 

[mtnelect]

Use the proper colored wire !

 

[mtnelect]

Oh, it's " Code". No, it's a "screwup".

 

[infinity]

It's not a screw up when the NEC allows the orange conductors to be re-identified.

 

[texie]

As others said, it is compliant. Some might argue that it is a little hokey. If I did it I would be inclined to at least smoothly tape all the exposed conductors.

 

[Charlypt]

Yes, allowed.

Note that the white tape could be an issue if you have, say, a 208/120V system in the same site. Maybe go with grey.

Sorry, I meant gray for 277/480. Good eye.

However, per article 200.6, I could use white if you are not mixing different systems, right?
Is it considered “different systems” in the same site or in the same enclosure?
The exact application is from the utility transformer to a 277/480 meter, then to a MDP, then to a 277/480 to 120/208 transformer (here there would only be the secondary neutral).

 

[mtnelect]

It's not a screw up when the NEC allows the orange conductors to be re-identifi

I would never do it, even if the "Code" says it is allowed. How would you feel it you came upon it ?. Like, who did that ?

 

[roger]

Sorry, I meant gray for 277/480. Good eye.

However, per article 200.6, I could use white if you are not mixing different systems, right?
Is it considered “different systems” in the same site or in the same enclosure?
The exact application is from the utility transformer to a 277/480 meter, then to a MDP, then to a 277/480 to 120/208 transformer (here there would only be the secondary neutral).

Yes, you could use white.

 

[mtnelect]

I would never do it, even if the "Code" says it is allowed. How would you feel it you came upon it ?. Like, who did that ?

It's called a "Short Cut". Do it right the first time. Stop trying to "Cut Corners".

 

[roger]

I would never do it, even if the "Code" says it is allowed. How would you feel it you came upon it ?. Like, who did that ?

I would think to myself, "he must have had some extra orange wire he was wanting to use up" good idea.

 

[mtnelect]

I would think to myself, "he must have had some extra orange wire he was wanting to use up" good idea.

No ... He is trying to save money. I would never go into storage and try to find something. In the first place I always recycle after every project.
Stop using the "Code" to circumvent what is considered a "Workman Like Manner".

 

[roger]

No ... He is trying to save money.

What's wrong with that? I call that smart, I like saving money.

I would never go into storage and try to find something.

That's your prerogative, I wouldn't hesitate.

In the first place I always recycle after every project.

So if you had a few hundred feet of 300 KCMIL you would sell it for a fraction of it's real value.

Stop using the "Code" to circumvent what is considered a "Workman Like Manner".

Nobody's "using the code" to cheapen a job, they're being efficient in the use of materials. "Workman Like Manner" is in the eyes of the beholder and the Style Manual actually lists the term as likely unenforceable

 

[Charlypt]

No ... He is trying to save money. I would never go into storage and try to find something. In the first place I always recycle after every project.
Stop using the "Code" to circumvent what is considered a "Workman Like Manner".

Yes indeed. We are trying to save money. Why not?
The same way you did every time when you recycled your black wire, but in this case is orange.
Only because is more frequently use masked black wire mean that other color is wrong?
That is the question.