Color banding or taping phase conductors

Status
Not open for further replies.
C

chevy1969pu

Member
Location
Clayton Delaware
Hello,

I have in the past always ran colored wire for #6 and smaller phase conductors if possible. We identify using a standard wiring convention for our area (red, blue, orange = 240V high leg delta; brown, orange yellow = 480V, etc).

I was questioned on this by an engineer wanting to color band black #14 wiring in the future vs using solidly colored wire. I thought it was NEC requirement for anything #6 and under, but I cannot find a code reference to this, just for the grounded and grounding conductors (200.6 and 250.119).

310.12 (C) doesn't prohibit color banding on smaller wire sizes...

Is there any other verbaige in the NEC about this??

Thanks,

Mike
 
Re: Color banding or taping phase conductors

1. He is one of the engineers who signed off on the wiring "standard" which calls out color banding vs. using solidly colored wires.

2. The "standards" committee could not locate NEC lanquage specifically requiring solidly colored phase wiring for # 6 and below...

3. Unable to listen to reason... Or advice... from the installation electrician (s).

4. I dunno...
 
Re: Color banding or taping phase conductors

It sounds like this engineer is just trying to appear important and in doing so is showing his lack of common sense.

Anyways, as far as required method of color marking for conductors, your code references pretty much cover it.

As far as a color coding discussion you can go Here.

Roger
 
Re: Color banding or taping phase conductors

There is nothing in the NEC that I know of that addresses ungrounded conductor colors, other than that they must not be white or gray, they can't be bare or green, and if you have a high leg it must be orange and on phase B.
 
Re: Color banding or taping phase conductors

110.15 High-Leg Marking. On a 4-wire, delta-connected system where the midpoint of one phase winding is grounded to supply lighting and similar loads, the conductor or busbar having the higher phase voltage to ground shall be durably and permanently marked by an outer finish that is orange in color or by other effective means. Such identification shall be placed at each point on the system where a connection is made if the grounded conductor is also present.
Click to expand...
Ryan, I have to take exception with your requirement to have the high phase marked with orange. Pink, lavender, peach, or any other color (excluding the grounding and grounded conductor colors) will do just fine if it carried throughout the facility and it is clear to anyone using doing work on the system that it is unusual (weird?). :D
 
Re: Color banding or taping phase conductors

Originally posted by charlie:
Ryan, I have to take exception with your requirement to have the high phase marked with orange. Pink, lavender, peach, or any other color (excluding the grounding and grounded conductor colors) will do just fine if it carried throughout the facility and it is clear to anyone using doing work on the system that it is unusual (weird?). :D
Click to expand...
Oh...alright. I forgot about that argument! :D

I agree, that is the correct interpretation given the literal text. :D
 
Re: Color banding or taping phase conductors

There are no color codes in the NEC except white or grey for neutral and green,bare, or green with yellow stripe for ground.

Anything else is whatever you decide to do in your facility as long as its not one of these colors and is consistent.
 
Re: Color banding or taping phase conductors

Originally posted by petersonra:
There are no color codes in the NEC except white or grey for neutral and green,bare, or green with yellow stripe for ground.

Anything else is whatever you decide to do in your facility as long as its not one of these colors and is consistent.
Click to expand...
you obviously didn't click HERE :D

Roger
 
Re: Color banding or taping phase conductors

Originally posted by ryan_618:
There is nothing in the NEC that I know of that addresses ungrounded conductor colors, other than that they must not be white or gray, they can't be bare or green, and if you have a high leg it must be orange and on phase B.
Click to expand...
B in the panel C at the meter around here.
 
Re: Color banding or taping phase conductors

Originally posted by jap2525:
B in the panel C at the meter around here.
Click to expand...
Yes, I understand that is popular in some areas of the country. Since the power company is not governed by the NEC, they don't need to comply with that provision.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top