wirelady45
Member
I would like to know if there is anything in the code about using brown, orange and yellow wire on high voltage or at least phasing them.
color coded wire
- Thread starter wirelady45
- Start date
- Status
- Location
- Bremerton, Washington
- Occupation
- Master Electrician
Re: color coded wire
No.
But if you do use a color code and you have different voltages present with multiwire branch circuits, then it must be posted on each panelboard. The 2005 NEC may add a more stringent requirement. Please see 210.4(D)
The problem is the truck answer. What if you have a circuit to pull, and only have purple wire for a 120 V circuit?
No.
But if you do use a color code and you have different voltages present with multiwire branch circuits, then it must be posted on each panelboard. The 2005 NEC may add a more stringent requirement. Please see 210.4(D)
The problem is the truck answer. What if you have a circuit to pull, and only have purple wire for a 120 V circuit?
wirelady45
Member
Re: color coded wire
Until recently I have always used brown, orange and yellow for high voltage<480>and black, red and blue for anything lower. If the wire is not that color then phase tape is used. There seems to be a problem now that future electricians will not know that brown etc. is 480 although red etc. is. I suppose my company now is assuming any future electricians will not check voltage.
Until recently I have always used brown, orange and yellow for high voltage<480>and black, red and blue for anything lower. If the wire is not that color then phase tape is used. There seems to be a problem now that future electricians will not know that brown etc. is 480 although red etc. is. I suppose my company now is assuming any future electricians will not check voltage.
pierre
Senior Member
- Location
- Westchester County, New York
Re: color coded wire
The local union in our area has a requirement that 480y/277 is marked brown, orange, yellow. But that is definitely not an industry standard.
Pierre
The local union in our area has a requirement that 480y/277 is marked brown, orange, yellow. But that is definitely not an industry standard.
Pierre
brian john
Senior Member
- Location
- Leesburg, VA
Re: color coded wire
My belief is we might be better served by an NEC requirement for BYO or BOY or YBO, BUT me I don't care as long as the job has a standard and rotation is A-B-C or hell C-B-A BUT KEEP IT THE SAME THROUGH OUT>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
And right now that is not the case. I recently saw a job with 480/277 3 phase 4 wire Black, Red, Blue same for the 208/120 3 phase 4 wire Black, Red , Blue AGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
My belief is we might be better served by an NEC requirement for BYO or BOY or YBO, BUT me I don't care as long as the job has a standard and rotation is A-B-C or hell C-B-A BUT KEEP IT THE SAME THROUGH OUT>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
And right now that is not the case. I recently saw a job with 480/277 3 phase 4 wire Black, Red, Blue same for the 208/120 3 phase 4 wire Black, Red , Blue AGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
big john
Senior Member
- Location
- Portland, ME
Re: color coded wire
-John
Especially if those are larger conductors that are phase-taped, that's just ratty. How hard is it to purchase and use three additional colors of tape?
-John
- Location
- Bremerton, Washington
- Occupation
- Master Electrician
Re: color coded wire
A color code standard is an excellent idea, and is typically called out in specs. But only do this if you can maintain the colors. Other wise there is no advantage.
A color code standard is an excellent idea, and is typically called out in specs. But only do this if you can maintain the colors. Other wise there is no advantage.
- Location
- Illinois
- Occupation
- retired electrician
Re: color coded wire
Don
If these are on branch circuits, there is a violation of 210.4(D).
Don
- Location
- Massachusetts
Re: color coded wire
For us it is normal to use the standard colors of MC for both voltages.
In the same building one box will have black, red, blue white at 208/120 and the next box will have the same colors at 480/277.
The marking is done on the box covers, there is a color code for each of the voltages and their function power, lighting, emergency, HVAC etc.
All box covers get spray painted the "right" color and get marked as to voltage, panel and circuit number.
For us it is normal to use the standard colors of MC for both voltages.
In the same building one box will have black, red, blue white at 208/120 and the next box will have the same colors at 480/277.
The marking is done on the box covers, there is a color code for each of the voltages and their function power, lighting, emergency, HVAC etc.
All box covers get spray painted the "right" color and get marked as to voltage, panel and circuit number.
The key seems to be "other approved means", the inspectors all seem good with this.
bill addiss
Senior Member
Re: color coded wire
Pierre,
Just curious, do you use Blue - Black - Red for 208y/120 in your area? That's what is common on the Island, but a little different that everyone else it seems.
Bill
Pierre,
Just curious, do you use Blue - Black - Red for 208y/120 in your area? That's what is common on the Island, but a little different that everyone else it seems.
Bill
ryan_618
Senior Member
- Location
- Salt Lake City, Utah
Re: color coded wire
I think it is important to realize that the 210.4 requirement is only for multiwire branch circuits.
There is a proposal for the 2005 that would would change this to all branch circuits, if approved.
I think it is important to realize that the 210.4 requirement is only for multiwire branch circuits.
There is a proposal for the 2005 that would would change this to all branch circuits, if approved.
Re: color coded wire
Why is it necessary to identify the active line wires by a color?
Is it necessary to mark 3 phase according to the voltage? I can tell what it is if its all black.
I can understand color coding for the ground side of circuits.
The active line conductors are self identifying.
Unless it can be assured that the wire is actually as marked, it is more of a hazard than not marking them at all.
20 wires can be marked correct, one marked wrong will kill.
Why is it necessary to identify the active line wires by a color?
Is it necessary to mark 3 phase according to the voltage? I can tell what it is if its all black.
I can understand color coding for the ground side of circuits.
The active line conductors are self identifying.
Unless it can be assured that the wire is actually as marked, it is more of a hazard than not marking them at all.
20 wires can be marked correct, one marked wrong will kill.
A
a.wayne3@verizon.net
Guest
Re: color coded wire
Other than a neutral and a ground isn`t the only requirement for wire to be colored THE HIGH LEG....
Other than a neutral and a ground isn`t the only requirement for wire to be colored THE HIGH LEG....
- Location
- Illinois
- Occupation
- retired electrician
Re: color coded wire
Bob,
I wouldn't accept that method as being in compliance with 210.4(D). To me the key wording in the section is "each ungrounded conductor of a multiwire branch circuit, where accessible, shall be identified by phase and system". I don't see a color coded box cover as meeting this requirement.
Don
Bob,
I wouldn't accept that method as being in compliance with 210.4(D). To me the key wording in the section is "each ungrounded conductor of a multiwire branch circuit, where accessible, shall be identified by phase and system". I don't see a color coded box cover as meeting this requirement.
Don
- Location
- Massachusetts
Re: color coded wire
I think the placement of the the word "or" gives the inspector some leeway.
But once we move to cable assemblies all bets are off, never assume anything, you must also remember we are not required to remark the white going down to a switch leg either.
The general thought seems to be qualified people know how to identify, test, and work on electrical systems with out colors, much like Bennie suggests.
Bob
[ October 09, 2003, 04:35 PM: Message edited by: iwire ]
Don, I can certainly understand your feeling on this, so I guess I am glad you are not an inspector here.
I think the placement of the the word "or" gives the inspector some leeway.
A couple of things I will point out, for single conductors we will use BOY Gray for 480, BRB White for 208. in fact a MA amendment requires the use of gray for neutrals of systems above 150 to ground and white for systems less than 150 to ground.
But once we move to cable assemblies all bets are off, never assume anything, you must also remember we are not required to remark the white going down to a switch leg either.
The general thought seems to be qualified people know how to identify, test, and work on electrical systems with out colors, much like Bennie suggests.
Bob
[ October 09, 2003, 04:35 PM: Message edited by: iwire ]
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