Color-Coded Leads -- a request to motormakers

[drcampbell]

Read this line out loud: BLUE ORANGE PURPLE BLACK RED

I learned the RETMA standard color code when I was a twelve-year-old radio-electronics hobbyist and have used it regularly ever since. Suffice it to say, it's well embedded in deep. long-term memory and will likely be one of the last things I remember after going senile.

Yesterday, I encountered something interesting: A 9-lead 230-460 motor with color-coded leads.
At first glance, I thought it was a great idea that would save a lot of time. Especially in this case, because the printed wire numbers on this re-purposed motor were aged, contaminated and difficult to read.

Unfortunately, the motormaker -- who I will not name to save them the embarrassment -- had opted to use their own color palate, not the RETMA standard color code. It ended up taking twice as long, just like the brain teaser above.

So ... my request to motor makers: Use color-coded motor leads from now on, and use the standard colors. It will save time in the field and reduce errors.
I do hope this is not wishful thinking on my part, nor merely a pigment of my imagination.

 

[don_resqcapt19]

Why would you expect an electrical equipment manufacturer to use an electronic equipment color code?

NEMA does not list colors for the leads of 3 phase motors, but the do show the following for single phase motors.
1 Blue
2 White
3 Orange
4 Yellow
5 Black
6 no color assigned
7 no color assigned
8 red

One manufacturer of 3 phase 9 lead motors has expanded on that and uses the following for some of their motors
T1 Blue
T2 White
T3 Orange
T4 Yellow
T5 Black
T6 Gray
T7 Pink
T8 Red
T9 Black/Red

 

[drcampbell]

Because electrical engineers are responsible for them both?
I suppose I shouldn't expect any such thing. After all, the nice thing about standards is that there are so many different ones to choose from.

 

[kwired]

Why would you expect an electrical equipment manufacturer to use an electronic equipment color code?

NEMA does not list colors for the leads of 3 phase motors, but the do show the following for single phase motors.
1 Blue
2 White
3 Orange
4 Yellow
5 Black
6 no color assigned
7 no color assigned
8 red

One manufacturer of 3 phase 9 lead motors has expanded on that and uses the following for some of their motors
T1 Blue
T2 White
T3 Orange
T4 Yellow
T5 Black
T6 Gray
T7 Pink
T8 Red
T9 Black/Red

Think I know which one you are talking about on the three phase - seen many of them - I think T9 is usually purple though.

 

[iceworm]

Because electrical engineers are responsible for them both?
I suppose I shouldn't expect any such thing. After all, the nice thing about standards is that there are so many different ones to choose from.

Yes. If there were 14 competing standards and a group worked up one to encompass all, there would then be 15 competing standards (compliments of xkcd)

 

[don_resqcapt19]

Think I know which one you are talking about on the three phase - seen many of them - I think T9 is usually purple though.

The list came from WEG.

 

[Jraef]

Yes. If there were 14 competing standards and a group worked up one to encompass all, there would then be 15 competing standards (compliments of xkcd)

:thumbsup:
One of his best lines as it pertains to our industry...

Who's "color code" are they going to follow? We as an industry can't even all agree on the meaning of green and red lights and buttons!

And what good would it do anyway on a 3 phase motor? Do you use different color codes for a 3 lead vs 6 lead vs 9 lead vs 12 lead vs Wye-Delta vs Part Winding vs 2 Speed 2 Winding vs 2 Speed 1 Winding Constant Torque vs 2S1W Variable Torque vs 2S1W Constant HP vs Wound Rotor vs Synchronous vs .... ???

 

[kwired]

The list came from WEG.

Well then at least two manufacturers tried that. I've seen those colors but with a purple on Baldor motors. Can't recall if all leads are same color as what you posted, but I know several of them are the same. 1,2,3,5, and 8 I am pretty certain are the same, only four others to go.

 

[Besoeker3]

L1, L2, L3 works for me.

 

[kwired]

L1, L2, L3 works for me.

Life is simpler when you have one common voltage system.

9 lead Y wound motors that are common here are dual volt rated, so you need to make up leads in accordance with what voltage is. most are 208-230 low volts and 460 high volts.