color code
- Thread starter draighn
- Start date
- Status
- Location
- Bremerton, Washington
- Occupation
- Master Electrician
Re: color code
There have been many proposals to reinstate the conductor color code that was in the NEC up to the mid 1970's. They have been rejected due to what I call the truck answer.
There are four answers to a code question:
1. Code answer
2. AHJ answer
3. Toms answer
4. Truck answer
While you may want a color code, if you can't not 100% absolutly control the installation, then a red wire could be 480V.
The CMP wants you to test the voltage and not assume because its a red wire its 120V.
However, take a look at the 2005 NEC requirements in Art 215. If you have two voltage systems, then you must identify and post the color codes used at each branch circuit. Everyone gets all excited about the lack of a color code, but I agree with the CMP that posting the colors actually used is important.
There have been many proposals to reinstate the conductor color code that was in the NEC up to the mid 1970's. They have been rejected due to what I call the truck answer.
There are four answers to a code question:
1. Code answer
2. AHJ answer
3. Toms answer
4. Truck answer
While you may want a color code, if you can't not 100% absolutly control the installation, then a red wire could be 480V.
The CMP wants you to test the voltage and not assume because its a red wire its 120V.
However, take a look at the 2005 NEC requirements in Art 215. If you have two voltage systems, then you must identify and post the color codes used at each branch circuit. Everyone gets all excited about the lack of a color code, but I agree with the CMP that posting the colors actually used is important.
rick hart
Senior Member
- Location
- Dallas Texas
Re: color code
I would also add that by mandating colors you limit the use in special circumstances. Here we also use orange and brown for the line isolated monitor 120V circuits.
I would also add that by mandating colors you limit the use in special circumstances. Here we also use orange and brown for the line isolated monitor 120V circuits.
rick hart
Senior Member
- Location
- Dallas Texas
Re: color code
And that is exactly what I am talking about....if not at ALL clear with my previous post.
Brown, organge and yellow are taken already. They are chosen, IMO, because they are conspicuously out of place with regard to the conventional color code for 480V.
Posting the color code of whatever it might be, even if mandated by NEC, makes sense. I would not like to have the need to verify voltage be taken away.
And that is exactly what I am talking about....if not at ALL clear with my previous post.
Brown, organge and yellow are taken already. They are chosen, IMO, because they are conspicuously out of place with regard to the conventional color code for 480V.
Posting the color code of whatever it might be, even if mandated by NEC, makes sense. I would not like to have the need to verify voltage be taken away.
jwelectric
Senior Member
- Location
- North Carolina
Re: color code
I was the understanding that the NEC did have a color code as outlined below from the 2002 edition:
110.15, 215.8, 230.56, and 408.3(E) for the ?high leg? marking
On a 4-wire, delta-connected secondary where the midpoint of one phase winding is grounded to supply lighting and similar loads, the phase conductor having the higher voltage to ground shall be identified by an outer finish that is orange in color or by tagging
200.6 Means of Identifying Grounded Conductors.
(A) Sizes 6 AWG or Smaller. An insulated grounded conductor of 6 AWG or smaller shall be identified by a continuous white or gray outer finish or by three continuous white stripes on other than green insulation along its entire length.
250.119 Identification of Equipment Grounding Conductors.
Unless required elsewhere in this Code, equipment grounding conductors shall be permitted to be bare, covered, or insulated. Individually covered or insulated equipment grounding conductors shall have a continuous outer finish that is either green or green with one or more yellow stripes except as permitted in this section.
Chapters five through seven modify chapters one through four and rules set forth in five through seven pertain to those articles only.
Did I get this one right?
I was the understanding that the NEC did have a color code as outlined below from the 2002 edition:
110.15, 215.8, 230.56, and 408.3(E) for the ?high leg? marking
On a 4-wire, delta-connected secondary where the midpoint of one phase winding is grounded to supply lighting and similar loads, the phase conductor having the higher voltage to ground shall be identified by an outer finish that is orange in color or by tagging
200.6 Means of Identifying Grounded Conductors.
(A) Sizes 6 AWG or Smaller. An insulated grounded conductor of 6 AWG or smaller shall be identified by a continuous white or gray outer finish or by three continuous white stripes on other than green insulation along its entire length.
250.119 Identification of Equipment Grounding Conductors.
Unless required elsewhere in this Code, equipment grounding conductors shall be permitted to be bare, covered, or insulated. Individually covered or insulated equipment grounding conductors shall have a continuous outer finish that is either green or green with one or more yellow stripes except as permitted in this section.
Chapters five through seven modify chapters one through four and rules set forth in five through seven pertain to those articles only.
Did I get this one right?
- Location
- Massachusetts
Re: color code
draighn
If you happen to be a MA guy there is a partial color code for voltages.
This MA amendment only applies to the grounded conductor.
In MA white shall be used on systems not exceeding 150 volts to ground, and gray shall be
used for systems exceeding 150 volts to ground.
draighn
If you happen to be a MA guy there is a partial color code for voltages.
This MA amendment only applies to the grounded conductor.
In MA white shall be used on systems not exceeding 150 volts to ground, and gray shall be
used for systems exceeding 150 volts to ground.
- Location
- Massachusetts
Re: color code
, a forum member was kind enough to point out that this requirement has been removed.
Thats what happens when you do not have the latest code amendments.
Retraction
, a forum member was kind enough to point out that this requirement has been removed.Thats what happens when you do not have the latest code amendments.
crossman
Senior Member
- Location
- Southeast Texas
Re: color code
For about the past 6 years, our AHJ has mandated through city ordinance that:
480/277 wye is brown purple yellow gray
208/120 wye is black red blue white
120/240 Hi-leg delta is black orange blue white
Of course there are literally thousands of occupancies in our jurisdiction where this is not the case, so CHECK THE VOLTAGE no matter what the color is!
For about the past 6 years, our AHJ has mandated through city ordinance that:
480/277 wye is brown purple yellow gray
208/120 wye is black red blue white
120/240 Hi-leg delta is black orange blue white
Of course there are literally thousands of occupancies in our jurisdiction where this is not the case, so CHECK THE VOLTAGE no matter what the color is!
physis
Senior Member
Re: color code
I used to think it would be great if we had a color code system, and it would. But what Tom says is absolutely true, it might cause people to rely on something that everyone knows will not be consistant or reliable. As weird as it is, it would tend to undermine 90.1(A) a little.
I used to think it would be great if we had a color code system, and it would. But what Tom says is absolutely true, it might cause people to rely on something that everyone knows will not be consistant or reliable. As weird as it is, it would tend to undermine 90.1(A) a little.
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