California NM-B outer jacket color question

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GoldDigger said:
Technically not allowed unless the individual wires are marked with an NEC type.
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The NM conductors emerging from the cable aren't marked and we can connect them straight to a device or luminaire or splice with a pigtail. . .

But, you seem to be saying the pigtail itself CAN'T be a bit of those same conductors from the NM cable????
 
al hildenbrand said:
The NM conductors emerging from the cable aren't marked and we can connect them straight to a device or luminaire or splice with a pigtail. . .

But, you seem to be saying the pigtail itself CAN'T be a bit of those same conductors from the NM cable????
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I am saying that there would be no identification whatsoever of the insulation type on the pigtail.
I can see that even with marked wire there could be pieces which did not contain a visible marking, but if you looked at enough pigtails you would eventually find the insulation rating and wire gauge.

I would not use bell wire for line voltage pigtails either.
In the case of unsheathed NM inside a box, the rough inspection would have verified that the cable entering the box was NM of an appropriate type. From there the fact that you can no longer verify that by looking in the made-up box is not a problem.
For a pigtail, the inspector has no idea where you got the wire or what type it is (unless the insulation is immediately recognizable and unique.)
If it looks to be identical to the wires from the NM I would probably pass it. But if it looks different because I cut up an reel of old NM to use to pigtail to new NM it is not nearly as obviously compliant.
 
GoldDigger said:
I am saying that there would be no identification whatsoever of the insulation type on the pigtail.
I can see that even with marked wire there could be pieces which did not contain a visible marking, but if you looked at enough pigtails you would eventually find the insulation rating and wire gauge.

I would not use bell wire for line voltage pigtails either.
In the case of unsheathed NM inside a box, the rough inspection would have verified that the cable entering the box was NM of an appropriate type. From there the fact that you can no longer verify that by looking in the made-up box is not a problem.
For a pigtail, the inspector has no idea where you got the wire or what type it is (unless the insulation is immediately recognizable and unique.)
If it looks to be identical to the wires from the NM I would probably pass it. But if it looks different because I cut up an reel of old NM to use to pigtail to new NM it is not nearly as obviously compliant.
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Perhaps you should submit a proposal for the 2020...............
 
If I did, I am sure that the CMP would rule that it was already clear and no changes were needed.
At least that would get an opinion on record though....


mobile
 
GoldDigger said:
If I did, I am sure that the CMP would rule that it was already clear and no changes were needed.
At least that would get an opinion on record though....
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OK. So what NEC rule says this, in your opinion? . . . says one can't use NMB conductors for pigtails?
 
ShockedMonkey said:
I've seen yellow sheathed used for 12ga and white for 14ga, I think orange is 10ga,

I didn't see it in the NEC, Is this enforced in CA?

I ask because I have a couple 500' spools of 12 sitting around that are white sheathed and didn't know if it was just make-up/ladder tying wire now.

Thanks!
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As stated by the others, not a requirement. This was done mainly for clarity to distinguish between wire sizes for nm, making work easier for inspectors and less than skilled installers-Other than those 2 reasons, the color scheme is totally unnecessary.

Very old nm ranges from silver to blue or even green across all gauges.

Nothing wrong w/ using that cable. White 12 is especially handy when something needs to look old......:D;)
 
GoldDigger said:
I am saying that there would be no identification whatsoever of the insulation type on the pigtail.
I can see that even with marked wire there could be pieces which did not contain a visible marking, but if you looked at enough pigtails you would eventually find the insulation rating and wire gauge.
Click to expand...

Where does the NEC require this visible marking?
 
user 100 said:
As stated by the others, not a requirement. This was done mainly for clarity to distinguish between wire sizes for nm, making work easier for inspectors and less than skilled installers-Other than those 2 reasons, the color scheme is totally unnecessary.

Very old nm ranges from silver to blue or even green across all gauges.

Nothing wrong w/ using that cable. White 12 is especially handy when something needs to look old......:D;)
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"Less than skilled installers" don't pay attention to size or color in many of my experiences.

14-2 cost less, lets use that one.

Somehow they do get in their heads you need at least 10 AWG for a "220 circuit". Seen it used where 6 AWG was required, but also seen it where they could have used 14 AWG.
 
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