superdave02
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- South East
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- Electrical Consultant
We all know and love our Black, Red, Blue, and our BOY. Why are the colors not a standard in the NEC?
Article 235
- Thread starter superdave02
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- Illinois
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- retired electrician
There were colors in older codes, I think the last one was the 68 code. However you cited Article 235 and I don't think the code has ever had color codes for systems over 1000 volts.
It is a design issue and not a code issue.
It is a design issue and not a code issue.
superdave02
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- South East
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- Electrical Consultant
It is a code question. Who said anything about 1000v?
- Location
- New Jersey
- Occupation
- Journeyman Electrician
Article 235 is for over 1000 volts.
superdave02
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- South East
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- Electrical Consultant
My mistake. Article 210
I was just working on a building that has a 480Y/277 service a 208Y/120 transformer, several 120/240 single phase transformers and . The posted color code for all phases regardless of voltage is Black = L1, Red = L2, Blue = L3.
Each system has those pre-made voltage stickers like "480 volts" "208 Volts" "240 volts" then some other info.
There is one 480 feeder to a new part of the building that is BOY, which I guess is technically a violation, there are some other control systems that use orange and yellow so presumably that's what they were thinking I don't know.
Each system has those pre-made voltage stickers like "480 volts" "208 Volts" "240 volts" then some other info.
There is one 480 feeder to a new part of the building that is BOY, which I guess is technically a violation, there are some other control systems that use orange and yellow so presumably that's what they were thinking I don't know.
Some of the Code gurus here likely have a ROP or ROC that shows why it was deleted from the Code.
on a sidenote, our largest municipality revised the NEC to prohibit Orange on anything except 240 hi-leg system.
For 480 they recommend Brown-Purple-Yellow
on a sidenote, our largest municipality revised the NEC to prohibit Orange on anything except 240 hi-leg system.
For 480 they recommend Brown-Purple-Yellow
There is no limit to the number of 'systems' that could be present in a facility and it would be a really restrictive standard to enforce a color code.
Many suggest the restrictions on white or gray should be changed to the same as the phase colors, just post it at the facility.
Then there can be some debate if each individual color is assigned to a 'system' and that's it or does each 'set' of colors need to be unique?
A new system that is becoming common is 416Y/240 and that uses red yellow blue.
You run out of colors pretty quick if each color goes with a system and cant repeat in another system.
If you stick to sets of colors then you can repeat colors.
Or some prefer colors for functions,
I have seen a place with lots of sensors and controls that wanted just plain black for all ungrounded AC conductors regardless of voltage, red was reserved for class 1 control circuits, DC control circuits were blue or blue with white stripe. All the wires got fancy heat shrink labels.
Many suggest the restrictions on white or gray should be changed to the same as the phase colors, just post it at the facility.
Then there can be some debate if each individual color is assigned to a 'system' and that's it or does each 'set' of colors need to be unique?
A new system that is becoming common is 416Y/240 and that uses red yellow blue.
You run out of colors pretty quick if each color goes with a system and cant repeat in another system.
If you stick to sets of colors then you can repeat colors.
Or some prefer colors for functions,
I have seen a place with lots of sensors and controls that wanted just plain black for all ungrounded AC conductors regardless of voltage, red was reserved for class 1 control circuits, DC control circuits were blue or blue with white stripe. All the wires got fancy heat shrink labels.
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