Grounding electrode conductor identification

[stew]

Got written under 250.119 for using a nice black insulated ELECTRODE grounding conductor out to the ground rods. Came into a big bunch of thhn #4. 250 .62 is the proper code reference for the electrode grounding conductor which says you are to.use bare,covered,or insulated. Nothing about color. Inspector wants me to falsely identify the conductor. Any feedback?

 

[augie47]

Inspector is incorrect.

 

[infinity]

I agree with Augie other than colors designated for neutral conductors a GEC can be any color.

 

[roger]

Yep, inspector is wrong. He should cite a code section which he won't find.

Roger

 

[texie]

Why is this so hard for so many inspectors to understand? I've had this experience a number of times and have to educate them.

 

[Smash]

Just tape it green and move on to the next job. Everyone is happy sometimes it’s not worth the trouble these hard heads will just delay you from getting paid for a completed job. Tape it and forget it

 

[texie]

Just tape it green and move on to the next job. Everyone is happy sometimes it’s not worth the trouble these hard heads will just delay you from getting paid for a completed job. Tape it and forget it

What if it is #6 and in the wall? There is no requirement for a GEC to be green and never has been. Using black is fine and is commonly done, especially in larger sizes. The inspector needs to be educated.

 

[Rock86]

Just tape it green and move on to the next job. Everyone is happy sometimes it’s not worth the trouble these hard heads will just delay you from getting paid for a completed job. Tape it and forget it

I'm with you. tape 3-6" of the exposed conductor and if the inspector gives you crap after that... then throw the book at them.

 

[don_resqcapt19]

Other than white you can use any color you want for the GRC, however if you are under the 2017 code and you use black for the GEC, you are not permitted to use black for an ungrounded conductor in that facility.
This was never enforced as far as I know, but it is what the code says. 310.110(C). This was fixed in the 2020 code and the section was also relocated to 310.6(C).

 

[stew]

Got written under 250.119 for using a nice black insulated ELECTRODE grounding conductor out to the ground rods. Came into a big bunch of thhn #4. 250 .62 is the proper code reference for the electrode grounding conductor which says you are to.use bare,covered,or insulated. Nothing about color. Inspector wants me to falsely identify the conductor. Any feedback?

Anyhow he said he would talk to his supervisor and if he still dissagreed he would call me. No call but on line shows the correction has been removed.lol and for those of you that say to just put the tape on it i will never do that. Its a code violation because it misidentifies the conductor as an equipment grounding conductor instead of a grounding electrode conductor. 2 colors in the code are sacrisanct. White and green and they are both reserved for thier proper code section. Anthor educational success !@@

 

[petersonra]

Anyhow he said he would talk to his supervisor and if he still dissagreed he would call me. No call but on line shows the correction has been removed.lol and for those of you that say to just put the tape on it i will never do that. Its a code violation because it misidentifies the conductor as an equipment grounding conductor instead of a grounding electrode conductor. 2 colors in the code are sacrisanct. White and green and they are both reserved for thier proper code section. Anthor educational success !@@

It can be green. It is just not required.

 

[stew]

It can be green. It is just not required.

If you put green tape on it you are identifying it as an equipment grounding conductor which it not.

 

[petersonra]

If you put green tape on it you are identifying it as an equipment grounding conductor which it not.

Where does it say in the code it cannot be green

 

[GoldDigger]

Is green only permitted for enumerated uses or it prohibited for enumerated uses like ungrounded conductors and current carrying grounded conductors like neutrals.
Requiring green as one alternative for a specific use does not by itself prohibit other uses.

 

[don_resqcapt19]

Is green only permitted for enumerated uses or it prohibited for enumerated uses like ungrounded conductors and current carrying grounded conductors like neutrals.
Requiring green as one alternative for a specific use does not by itself prohibit other uses.

Exactly. The code language in 250.119 requires green for EGCs, but only prohibits the use of green for "ungrounded and grounded conductors". That permits you to use green for all bonding and grounding conductors.

 

[LarryFine]

Exactly. The code language in 250.119 requires green for EGCs, but only prohibits the use of green for "ungrounded and grounded conductors". That permits you to use green for all bonding and grounding conductors.

I concur.

 

[infinity]

Exactly. The code language in 250.119 requires green for EGCs, but only prohibits the use of green for "ungrounded and grounded conductors". That permits you to use green for all bonding and grounding conductors.

I agree. The language for other conductors like neutrals is not the same as it is for EGCs