color codes
- Thread starter charty
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rick5280
Senior Member
Re: color codes
The 1971 NEC is the last one with the color code, and it was just as a recommendation. See Article 210-5(c) of the 1971 NEC.
This requirement(suggestion?) as far back a 1965 was just for: 3-wire circuits, 1 black, 1 white and 1 red; 4-wire circuits, 1 black, 1 white, 1 red and 1 blue.
I did not see any requirments/suggestions for the B-O-Y combination, though it is used in today's world, for higher than 120/240v systems.
I will research it a little more and get back to you.
Rick Miell
The 1971 NEC is the last one with the color code, and it was just as a recommendation. See Article 210-5(c) of the 1971 NEC.
This requirement(suggestion?) as far back a 1965 was just for: 3-wire circuits, 1 black, 1 white and 1 red; 4-wire circuits, 1 black, 1 white, 1 red and 1 blue.
I did not see any requirments/suggestions for the B-O-Y combination, though it is used in today's world, for higher than 120/240v systems.
I will research it a little more and get back to you.
Rick Miell
- Location
- Massachusetts
Re: color codes
Or no colors (other than white) if there is only one system in the building.
The grounds could be bare.
Or no colors (other than white) if there is only one system in the building.
The grounds could be bare.
ryan_618
Senior Member
- Location
- Salt Lake City, Utah
Re: color codes
Harry, orange can be used for anything other than the grounded conductor and the egoupment grounding conductor, as per 200.7 and 250.119, respectivly. I agree that if you have a high leg you must use orange, but you can use orange if you don't have a high leg.
Re: color codes
Ryan, you are right, with the exception the "Grounded conductor, or the EGC, orange can be used for anything, even the GEC.
Charty, motor rotation wouldn't be difficult, just change any two phase conductors regardless of color, or lack of.
Roger
Ryan, you are right, with the exception the "Grounded conductor, or the EGC, orange can be used for anything, even the GEC.
Charty, motor rotation wouldn't be difficult, just change any two phase conductors regardless of color, or lack of.
Roger
ryan_618
Senior Member
- Location
- Salt Lake City, Utah
Re: color codes
No need to apologize, my friend. I'm not after any spotlight!
No need to apologize, my friend. I'm not after any spotlight!
- Location
- Massachusetts
Re: color codes
Does the POCO in your area color code the incoming service conductors for you?
I am interested in how you get it right the first time without a using a phase rotation meter?
Does the POCO in your area color code the incoming service conductors for you?
Re: color codes
As an Electrician I have always used this as an Industry standard. Orange ,Brown, and yellow for 277/480 and gray as a neutral and black ,red , and blue for 120/208,240 with a white Neutral. It is not code but these colors are important for other Electricians following you and if you install 2 different systems in the same conduit.
As an Electrician I have always used this as an Industry standard. Orange ,Brown, and yellow for 277/480 and gray as a neutral and black ,red , and blue for 120/208,240 with a white Neutral. It is not code but these colors are important for other Electricians following you and if you install 2 different systems in the same conduit.
- Location
- Illinois
- Occupation
- retired electrician
Re: color codes
Pagano,
The code does not permit the use of white and gray to identify the grounded conductors of different systems in a common raceway. 200.6(D) requires that the grounded conductor of one system be white or gray and that the grounded conductor of the second system be white with a colored stripe.
Don
Pagano,
The code does not permit the use of white and gray to identify the grounded conductors of different systems in a common raceway. 200.6(D) requires that the grounded conductor of one system be white or gray and that the grounded conductor of the second system be white with a colored stripe.
Don
- Location
- Massachusetts
Re: color codes
pagano21 Welcome to the forum.
Where are you from?
If you are from MA you are good to go with the method you describe.
We are required to use white for systems less than 150 to ground and gray for systems above 150 volts to ground.
Don do you know the NFPAs reasons for not allowing the system identification in the way pagano21 describes?
Bob
pagano21 Welcome to the forum.
Where are you from?
If you are from MA you are good to go with the method you describe.
We are required to use white for systems less than 150 to ground and gray for systems above 150 volts to ground.
Don do you know the NFPAs reasons for not allowing the system identification in the way pagano21 describes?
Bob
ryan_618
Senior Member
- Location
- Salt Lake City, Utah
Re: color codes
Don, I think it might be allowed, sungject to the AHJ's approval. 200.6 "...or other and different means..."
(this is from the 99 code, but I don't think it changed. If I'm wrong about that, sorry.
Don, I think it might be allowed, sungject to the AHJ's approval. 200.6 "...or other and different means..."
(this is from the 99 code, but I don't think it changed. If I'm wrong about that, sorry.
brian john
Senior Member
- Location
- Leesburg, VA
Re: color codes
I was just in Houston the site I was on utilized purple orange brown on 480/277 and black red blue on 208/120, white neutrals on both systems.
I would prefer the BOY YBO OYB and Black red blue as a standard with separate colors for the neutral. And wished the code had a requirement just to avoid arguing with electricians. The number of electricians that think YBO BYO OYB (take your choice) is a NEC requirement amazes me. BUT I ALWAYS check rotation and voltage I also try to beat this into the heads of anyone I work with because........... I have seen to many screw ups from looking at color only.
I was just in Houston the site I was on utilized purple orange brown on 480/277 and black red blue on 208/120, white neutrals on both systems.
I would prefer the BOY YBO OYB and Black red blue as a standard with separate colors for the neutral. And wished the code had a requirement just to avoid arguing with electricians. The number of electricians that think YBO BYO OYB (take your choice) is a NEC requirement amazes me. BUT I ALWAYS check rotation and voltage I also try to beat this into the heads of anyone I work with because........... I have seen to many screw ups from looking at color only.
- Location
- Bremerton, Washington
- Occupation
- Master Electrician
Re: color codes
Brian John-using white for both 480Y277 and 208Y120 neutrals is a violation of sect 200.6 (D) if the neutrals are in the same box, enclosure or raceway.
And your comment "I have seen to many screw ups from looking at color only" is exaclty why the CMP has rejected all proposals to adopt a color code standard.
However, Article 210 on branch circuits does require posting of a color code standard if used at each branch circuit panelboard, see 210.4(D).
Both 200.6(D) and 210.4(D) are often not complied with. 210.4(D) states the colors used shall be posted, this essentially is a color code standard.
[ November 27, 2003, 12:33 PM: Message edited by: tom baker ]
Brian John-using white for both 480Y277 and 208Y120 neutrals is a violation of sect 200.6 (D) if the neutrals are in the same box, enclosure or raceway.
And your comment "I have seen to many screw ups from looking at color only" is exaclty why the CMP has rejected all proposals to adopt a color code standard.
However, Article 210 on branch circuits does require posting of a color code standard if used at each branch circuit panelboard, see 210.4(D).
Both 200.6(D) and 210.4(D) are often not complied with. 210.4(D) states the colors used shall be posted, this essentially is a color code standard.
[ November 27, 2003, 12:33 PM: Message edited by: tom baker ]
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