colors codes change why

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As Bob mentioned, the hi-leg is required to be orange in color, but this section does not restrict an installer from using orange for other installations, such as BOY colors for 480y/277, which is very common in a large portion of the country.
 
e57 said:
In SF it is still BOY colors on 480's

120/240 volt 3-phase delta circuits -
?A? phase black, ?B? (high leg) phase purple, ?C? phase red

277/480 volt 4-wire 3-phase wye circuits -
?A? phase brown, ?B? phase orange, ?C? phase yellow

However - Delta high-legs are purple... IN SF.
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In my opinion SF is contradicting 110.15. The NEC only associates the color orange with the high-leg (stinger).
 
Pierre C Belarge said:
As Bob mentioned, the hi-leg is required to be orange in color, but this section does not restrict an installer from using orange for other installations, such as BOY colors for 480y/277, which is very common in a large portion of the country.
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True, it just may not be a high-leg. I do know this is most common, but using it this way circumvents its meaning as a high-leg indicator; it simply another phase conductor.
 
tryinghard said:
The emphasis of 110.15 is its color marking by the fact that is specifies it.

Otherwise it can be effectively marked with black tape or? Consistency is safer!
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Agreed!!!! But one could use Black, Red if one chose to..or a "big tag" on the high leg.." or by other effective means" is the key word. Also, one should test phases prior to doing servicing, etc. I would like to see a strigent standardization in the NEC for all voltages in the future code cycles.
 
dcspector said:
...... I would like to see a strigent standardization in the NEC for all voltages in the future code cycles.
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I think every code cycle there's dozens of proposals offered for various color coding schemes. Their standard response, if memory serves, is something like "It's a design choice and not a NEC/safety issue."
 
tryinghard said:
In my opinion SF is contradicting 110.15. The NEC only associates the color orange with the high-leg (stinger).
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Yes - and it can be dangerous... And I'm not sure of this - but I think SF either beat the NEC to marking high-legs - or picked that color the year it ended up in the code cycle. I'm not sure of what year that was???
 
I see the color coding posts and think back to changes in the UK color codes about 3 years ago when they adopted an EU "harmonized" color coding system.

On a 230/380v system here are the color codes (though I may have the phase order wrong)...
OLD NEW
Phase-A Red Brown
Phase-B Blue Grey
Phase-C Yellow Black
Neutral Black Blue

How's that for crazy
 
pbeasley said:
I see the color coding posts and think back to changes in the UK color codes about 3 years ago when they adopted an EU "harmonized" color coding system.

On a 230/380v system here are the color codes (though I may have the phase order wrong)...
OLD NEW
Phase-A Red Brown
Phase-B Blue Grey
Phase-C Yellow Black
Neutral Black Blue

How's that for crazy
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It?s only a problem when emphasized. I think the NEC should leave the colors unaddressed except for grounding and neutrals. The problem with 110.15 is it specifies a color causing emphasis. An electrician is only going to treat this as a prompt, not actual, same with phasing.
 
e57 said:
Does this co-worker have a tail? Occasionally need a flea bath? :rolleyes:;)

Back in the day (early 90's :rolleyes:), I did service work from SJ to Concord, Marin beaches to the Tri-valley area. I LOST MY MIND in the traffic! And said never again....

Bay Area freeways can drive one to vehicular suicide or homicide. If you're not doing 85 you'll cause an accident, and if you doing less than 80 you're in an accident already, or behind one. If you're doing the speed limit you may have fallen asleep, or may as well if stuck. Then - there are the nut-bags - I'm sure most on this forum would go into fibulation if they witnessed a typical E.Oakland lane change at 100MPH in the Maze. (Usually 5-6 lanes with little reguard to live or limb)
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lol he is more usefull than a dog, and can talk back too. a long time friend from high school.

I service anywhere from napa to santa cruz. Used to be from rancho cordova to santa cruz, but we closed that shop. Traffic doesnt bother me since most of the time im in traffic, I am getting paid as well. its really easy to not stress about it when you dont feel like youre wasting the whole day away.

~Matt
 
brian john said:
No it doesn't but myself I hate cheap tape...Won't stick or becomes a gooey mess.
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Or worse found in the bottom of the enclosure. I wish I had a camera for it - CHEAP guy got CHEAP with CHEAP tape. One wrap per conductor. Say a few years later - I find perfect diameter length pieces of marking tape laying in the bottom of a termination can. Awesome.
 
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