Identification of the "Wild Leg"

[ar-shooter]

Identification of the "Wild Leg"

Can anybody tell me where this is located in the code??? Thanks in adavance!!

 

[Guest]

Re: Identification of the "Wild Leg"

Re: Identification of the "Wild Leg"

Synonyms:

Stinger.
High-leg.

Mark with Orange.

Here's what Mike Holt said a while back in his newsletter:

Q10. I've been looking in the National Electric Code for hours. Does the NEC have any specific reference to wire color-coding for the phase conductors for a 3-phase wye system where the voltage between phases is 480 volts and the voltage to ground from each ungrounded conductor is 277 volts?

A. Yes and No. The NEC requires grounded (neutral) conductors to be white or gray [200-6], grounding conductors to be green or bare [250-119], and the high-leg conductor from a 120/240 volt, 3-phase delta system must be durably and permanently marked by an outer finish that is orange in color [384-3(e)].

Author?s Comment: The reason the high-leg conductor must be identified is because the voltage from this conductor to ground is 208 volts (120 volts x 1.732). Even with the identification of the high-leg, it is not uncommon for the installer to inadvertently connect 120 volt loads to this 208 volt to ground terminal within the panelboard, with unfortunate results (I did it once).

Where more than one nominal voltage system exists in a building such as 480/277 and 208/120, each ungrounded conductor of a multiwire branch circuit, where accessible, shall be identified by phase and system by separate color coding, marking tape, tagging, or other approved means [210-4(d)].

[ September 17, 2003, 10:40 PM: Message edited by: awwt ]

 

[don_resqcapt19]

Re: Identification of the "Wild Leg"

Re: Identification of the "Wild Leg"

110.15, 215.8, 230.56
Don

 

[joe tedesco]

Re: Identification of the "Wild Leg"

Re: Identification of the "Wild Leg"

............. and 408.3(E) See the (FPN)

 

[ar-shooter]

Re: Identification of the "Wild Leg"

Re: Identification of the "Wild Leg"

Thanks Guys.... Great job!!

 

[curt swartz]

Re: Identification of the "Wild Leg"

Re: Identification of the "Wild Leg"

As a side note. San Francisco doesn't permit orange for identification or the high leg, they require it to be purple.

 

[ar-shooter]

Re: Identification of the "Wild Leg"

Re: Identification of the "Wild Leg"

I am a "New" Nevada resident(clark county) and I am being told it has to be marked "Orange and Purple" Any one else that can back this up??


Thanks...

 

[charlie]

Re: Identification of the "Wild Leg"

Re: Identification of the "Wild Leg"

I wasn't going to jump in on this one. However, you need to reread the various sections that deal with this issue. The high phase, wild leg, etc. is to be marked with orange or other effective means.

Ask any of our linemen and they will tell you to identify it with red. As a result of this long standing tradition, the following was added to the Goldbook, "On a three phase, four wire, delta service, the phase conductor having the higher voltage to ground shall be permanently marked at each point of connection, in accordance with the Indiana Electrical Code. If red or orange is used to mark the phase having the higher voltage to ground, red or orange shall not be used to mark any other phases."

The bottom line is that whatever method is used in your area is OK as long as everyone knows how it is marked and it is permanent.

 

[don_resqcapt19]

Re: Identification of the "Wild Leg"

Re: Identification of the "Wild Leg"

Charlie,

If red or orange is used to mark the phase having the higher voltage to ground, red or orange shall not be used to mark any other phases.

This is something that the NEC should require. The code does not directly prohibit the use of orange for other conductors when you have a high leg system.
Don

 

[charlie]

Re: Identification of the "Wild Leg"

Re: Identification of the "Wild Leg"

This is something that the NEC should require. The code does not directly prohibit the use of orange for other conductors when you have a high leg system.

Don, I am not sure I agree with you. At every point where the conductors are accessible and the grounded conductor is available, the marking must be done.

If it is common and acceptable in your area to use blue with red and white polka dots for the high leg, why couldn't another phase conductor be marked with orange?

 

[joe tedesco]

Re: Identification of the "Wild Leg"

Re: Identification of the "Wild Leg"

"Orange" is a color that must be used to identify a certain voltage, and system as per 424.35 and 517.160.

I think there may be a proposal related to the subject of this thread for the "HIGH LEG" using code language found in the Index.

 

[charlie]

Re: Identification of the "Wild Leg"

Re: Identification of the "Wild Leg"

Joe, I don't think your references apply since you are talking about heating leads (general wiring is definitely not leads to anything) or an isolated system in a health care facility (you would not mix a circuit that has a grounded conductor with an isolated circuit). :roll:

 

[don_resqcapt19]

Re: Identification of the "Wild Leg"

Re: Identification of the "Wild Leg"

Charlie,
Yes the high leg must be identified with orange or other effective means at every accessible point, but the code does not prevent me from using orange or the other effective means for other conductors in the same building.
Don

 

[joe tedesco]

Re: Identification of the "Wild Leg"

Re: Identification of the "Wild Leg"

charlie:

Please review the NEC Index for homework, under the following and supply the COLORS used:

Color code

Branch circuits, 210.4(D), 210.5

Conductors, 310.12, 504.80(C), 647.4(C)

Grounded conductor, 200.6

Grounding conductor, 250.119, 310.12(B), 400.23

Heating cables, 424.35

Higher voltage to ground, Feeders, 215.8

Panel boards, 408.3(E)

Sensitive electronic equipment, 647.4(C)

Service-entrance conductors, 230.56



PS: Just trying to teach the new kids on the block about the subject of the color codes used in other areas, and not just in "ancient" electrical systems.

 

[bennie]

Re: Identification of the "Wild Leg"

Re: Identification of the "Wild Leg"

Generally an orange colored phase is B phase on a 480 volt system. There is no wild leg on a 480 volt system.

When the B phase is colored orange on a 240 volt system it is the wild leg.

I don't see any confusion with the identification procedure. I always verify the status anyway.

 

[tom baker]

Re: Identification of the "Wild Leg"

Re: Identification of the "Wild Leg"

Note the high leg only needs to be identified at every accessbile point where the grounded condctor is also present, see 110.15.
Note the code sections cited by awwt are from the 1999 NEC and some may of changed for the 2002 NEC

 

[tom baker]

Re: Identification of the "Wild Leg"

Re: Identification of the "Wild Leg"

Originally posted by tom baker:
Note the high leg only needs to be identified at every accessbile point where the grounded condctor is also present, see 110.15, but Dons comment is correct, I believe it should be identified at every point.
Note the code sections cited by awwt are from the 1999 NEC and some may of changed for the 2002 NEC

 

[Guest]

Re: Identification of the "Wild Leg"

Re: Identification of the "Wild Leg"

Originally posted by tom baker:
<snip>Note the code sections cited by awwt are from the 1999 NEC and some may of changed for the 2002 NEC

Righto. I just wanted to give the OP something to chew on. The discussion was the interesting part to me-- short of the current citations.

Thanks to all for the updated citations.

[ September 18, 2003, 04:32 PM: Message edited by: awwt ]