Is there a color standard for paint in the NEC for Electrical Enclosures?

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teejer

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We are a manufacturer of UL listed outdoor enclosures. We have always painted our products gray, the same as all other electrical enclosures. I have a customer who wants a significant number of enclosures painted green. At first I thought why not, but then I thought, why are enclosures always grey? Is there a standard that I am missing? I checked the UL standards and I find no mention of color when paint finish is discussed and I can't find any obvious reference to enclosure color in the NEC. Does anyone have any thoughts on this. Thank you.
 
if there was a standard would that mean that if someone i.e. the painter sprayed the cover with non-approved paint or color it would not pass inspection?
 
I will say no.

Here in town all of the stuff in the right of way used to be painted green, then they tried to go with polished aluminum until they realized how bad they reflected the lights back at cars, now everything is painted beige.

I think that everthing is grey just because it is a neutral color.
 
Nothing in the NEC or the UL. NEMA would be the place to look, but I doubt they care either. Normally, enclosures are ANSI #60 grey.
 
I think it all started with the color "machine grey". Grey is a neutral color. Do you work for Hoffman or Shaefer?

You can paint the enclosures any color you want. I still haven't figured out why the enclosure manufacturers don't know this.....lol

You might check on red though?
 
Why I asked the stupid question

Why I asked the stupid question

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I know it sounded like a stupid question, but we haven't been around that long and when I have a simple idea, like offering customers custom paint colors, I begin to wonder why no other competitor offers custom paint. Sometimes I think I am creative and then find out there is a reason why I can't be creative! I didn't want to find out the hard way, with all of the equipment returned, because of rejection by an inspector. Let's bring some color to the drab utilitarian world of gray and tan!
 
If you look closely, I think you will find most manufacturers do offer non-standard paint for a premium price.

It's probably usually cheaper to have the electrician field re-paint unless someone is ordering a bunch of enclosures or panels.

I have seen green, grey (or gray), blue, brown, beige, red, yellow, orange, and silver enclosures. There is also stainless, painted, or galvanized.

I think the only requirement is that the finish is suitable for the enviroment.
 
Heres some colorful red switchge

red1.jpg



red2.jpg



red3.jpg
 
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georgestolz said:
Looks like Marc needs to get his facts straight, is it #60 or #61?!? :mad:

:D
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I can't believe the other thread was only 5 days ago. But it amuses me to see two such clear and concise yet contradicting statements from 1 person 5 days apart.
 
Their is a A/C company for a extra $500.00 will power coat the out door unit a custom color.So why not cash in? I have seen the meter bases painted to match the home so the gray did not stand out.
 
jaylectricity said:
I can't believe the other thread was only 5 days ago. But it amuses me to see two such clear and concise yet contradicting statements from 1 person 5 days apart.
Click to expand...
Story of my life.

Guess it is 61. I wrote the one the other day from looking it up, and the one today from memory. That's what I get for thinking I have the ability to remember something.
 
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