Color coding -- ungrounded conductors

[JFletcher]

For those that prefer a single color, how would you wire say a string of nine lights, all phase to phase loads, with THHN in EMT conduit, ensuring that the circuit winds up balanced, i.e. 3 on AB, 3 on BC, and 3 on AC?

If you have three colors, it is very easy to keep track of which two wires to pull out of each junction box to each light.

I completely agree that for troubleshooting purposes, one should never assume anything about a wire or the circuit based on its insulation or jacket color, however for installation purposes, I have always found that going with a color system speeds things up.

In buildings with two voltage systems, why spend time taping or otherwise marking every splice or termination per 210.5 C when using multiple wire colors does that automatically?

 

[jap]

For those that prefer a single color, how would you wire say a string of nine lights, all phase to phase loads, with THHN in EMT conduit, ensuring that the circuit winds up balanced, i.e. 3 on AB, 3 on BC, and 3 on AC?

If you have three colors, it is very easy to keep track of which two wires to pull out of each junction box to each light.

I completely agree that for troubleshooting purposes, one should never assume anything about a wire or the circuit based on its insulation or jacket color, however for installation purposes, I have always found that going with a color system speeds things up.

In buildings with two voltage systems, why spend time taping or otherwise marking every splice or termination per 210.5 C when using multiple wire colors does that automatically?

It's easy.
You pull out what needs to be pulled out at each J-box and go on.

Using multiple wire colors does not automatically verify what voltage system your dealing with.

That's the whole point of not wasting money on 20 different colors of wire when you don't have to.

JAP>

 

[augie47]

I can simply say from experience, that having a color codes has been beneficial in the past having seen electricians working in a ceiling with a maze of wiring and boxes and think they were in a 208v j box only to find B-O-Y wiring.

 

[jap]

I can simply say from experience, that having a color codes has been beneficial in the past having seen electricians working in a ceiling with a maze of wiring and boxes and think they were in a 208v j box only to find B-O-Y wiring.

Hence another misconception.

There is no such thing as voltage specific J-box.


JAP>

 

[sameguy]

Nine lights nine boxes loops in each box leave two pull one, yes color helps, but I couldn't tell you how many times I have worked on stuff where it was so old or dark or obstructed I had to id it as I took it apart so I could but it back later.

 

[jap]

Point is, Yes, it's much easier to us common color codes of Black Red Blue White and Green for the lower voltages , and, Brown Orange Yellow Gray and Green for the higher voltages.

We just need fewer Jack Legs and DIY's.

JAP>

 

[tom baker]

Check out these wire marker paint pens, they work great
http://www.umarkers.com/Products/specialty-markers/u-phase.htm

 

[Besoeker]

No, I'm not.

If you make any judgment about a conductor based on the color of the insulation you are putting yourself and others in danger. The idea that certain colors are reserved for certain conductors makes this worse.

That I understand but having standardised colours can make life easier.
We used black for power cables but we tie ID numbers on with a cable tie. We number all conductors - specs usually require that. But mostly we were in the industrial sector.
One thing that did irk me (and many others) is when 3-phase went from red, yellow, blue to brown, black, grey. Even more nonsensical is that the neutral changed from black to blue which was previously a phase colour.

 

[don_resqcapt19]

... assuming a green wire is not energized could have painful or fatal results...

The 2005 code was the first code that actually prohibited using a green wire as an ungrounded conductor. It was common practice not to, but was permitted by the code language.

 

[kwired]

If you make a code proposal for a color code standard, the CMP will say "we want you to test the voltage and not assume its what the colors seems to indicate"
You can have a plant color code standard, but on a Friday, to get the job done, someone can use the wrong color wire...

I can see that happening any day of the week. Drive 50 miles, darn it don't have any yellow - guess this black still will work, might even put yellow tape near the ends to make someone else feel a little better about it, then again might not.

For those that prefer a single color, how would you wire say a string of nine lights, all phase to phase loads, with THHN in EMT conduit, ensuring that the circuit winds up balanced, i.e. 3 on AB, 3 on BC, and 3 on AC?

If you have three colors, it is very easy to keep track of which two wires to pull out of each junction box to each light.

I completely agree that for troubleshooting purposes, one should never assume anything about a wire or the circuit based on its insulation or jacket color, however for installation purposes, I have always found that going with a color system speeds things up.

In buildings with two voltage systems, why spend time taping or otherwise marking every splice or termination per 210.5 C when using multiple wire colors does that automatically?

Color is just one method of ID. If you have a raceway with 50 conductors in it there is only so many basic colors available. Sure you can special order conductors with other Id methods, but as general rule most of us only use the limited basic colors that are available. This means you use field applied methods for identification if you run out of colors. Alphanumeric labels being one of the most popular methods.