Looking for code requiring 3 different colors for 3 different phases

[Knipex Dream]

What code, if any, requires different phases to be different colors? 210.5(C)1 and 215.12(C) dictate that different voltage systems must be differentiated. But, nothing I can find prohibits for example if 3 black wires are used for a 3 phase 480v circuit.

 

[augie47]

Other than some restrictions for grounding, grounded and high-leg, the Code has no color requirements. 210.5 does call for identification for different system but even then not necessarily by color.

 

[infinity]

What premises would only have a 3Ø, 480 volt system?

 

[tom baker]

Art 200 has identification requirements for the neutral. You can identify different systems with colors you choose, except for restricted colors as Augie mentioned. And those colors are posted per 200 and 210. Example 480/277 could be pink black orange and 120/240 orange and brown.

 

[Knipex Dream]

What premises would only have a 3Ø, 480 volt system?

A motor.

Art 200 has identification requirements for the neutral. You can identify different systems with colors you choose, except for restricted colors as Augie mentioned. And those colors are posted per 200 and 210. Example 480/277 could be pink black orange and 120/240 orange and brown.

And it could be pink, pink, pink 240 and 480 could be blue, blue, blue.

 

[don_resqcapt19]

A motor.

And it could be pink, pink, pink 240 and 480 could be blue, blue, blue.

210.5(C) requires identification by phase and voltage. All 3 phases of the 240 volt system cannot be the same color. That same with the 480 volt system. The identification by system will prohibit the same color from being used in both systems.

210.5(C)(1) Branch Circuits Supplied from More Than One Nominal Voltage System.
Where the premises wiring system has branch circuits supplied from more than one nominal voltage system, each ungrounded conductor of a branch circuit shall be identified by phase or line and by system voltage class at all termination, connection, and splice points in compliance with 210.5(C)(1)(a) and (b). Different systems within the same premises that have the same system voltage class shall be permitted to use the same identification.

 

[infinity]

210.5(C) requires identification by phase and voltage. All 3 phases of the 240 volt system cannot be the same color. That same with the 480 volt system. The identification by system will prohibit the same color from being used in both systems.

I agree, that why I asked what type of premises would only have a 3 phase, 480 volt system. I would assume that there were two different voltage systems which would trigger the section you've posted.

 

[Knipex Dream]

210.5(C) requires identification by phase and voltage. All 3 phases of the 240 volt system cannot be the same color. That same with the 480 volt system. The identification by system will prohibit the same color from being used in both systems.

If a premise has only one voltage system could all phases be the same color? 210.5(C) specifically states it pertains to more than one voltage system.

 

[infinity]

If a premise has only one voltage system could all phases be the same color? 210.5(1) specifically states it pertains to more than one voltage system.

Yes.

 

[Knipex Dream]

Yes.

It seems that only 2 phasing colors would be required for systems more than one voltage. Each ungrounded conductor would be identified as the unique voltage system but all for each system could be the 1 same color indicating 120 or 277.

 

[roger]

It seems that only 2 phasing colors would be required for systems more than one voltage. Each ungrounded conductor would be identified as the unique voltage system but all for each system could be the 1 same color indicating 120 or 277.

It seems that only 2 phasing colors would be required for systems more than one voltage. Each ungrounded conductor would be identified as the unique voltage system but all for each system could be the 1 same color indicating 120 or 277.

See post #6

Roger

 

[kwired]

It seems that only 2 phasing colors would be required for systems more than one voltage. Each ungrounded conductor would be identified as the unique voltage system but all for each system could be the 1 same color indicating 120 or 277.

Pretty sure it says something to the effect of "by system and phase".

You could use same color for all three lines to identify the system, but to fulfil all requirements still need to identify by phase somehow, which could be numbers, tagging, etc.

 

[kwired]

What premises would only have a 3Ø, 480 volt system?

Irrigation services around where I am.

There is 120 volt controls in the irrigation machines, but it is part of listed assembly. The supply is straight 480 volts three phase and so is the well motor if electric powered.

Possibly might run into that on other limited load applications like maybe in oil fields? No experience with that but seems logical.

 

[Knipex Dream]

Pretty sure it says something to the effect of "by system and phase".

You could use same color for all three lines to identify the system, but to fulfil all requirements still need to identify by phase somehow, which could be numbers, tagging, etc.

Would numbers and tagging only be required with more than one nominal voltage system on premises?
This sort of reiterates my other question but I am looking for clarity.

Identification of phases is required by phase or line only if more than one voltage is on premises?
And let’s include the properly identified factory manufactured natural grey grounded conductor in our hypothetical service so everyone can be comfortable.

 

[kwired]

Would numbers and tagging only be required with more than one nominal voltage system on premises?
This sort of reiterates my other question but I am looking for clarity.

Identification of phases is required by phase or line only if more than one voltage is on premises?
And let’s include the properly identified factory manufactured natural grey grounded conductor in our hypothetical service so everyone can be comfortable.

NEC doesn't specify any particular method, just that you need to identify system and phase when there is more than one system on the premises.

How you do that is sort of up to your imagination. Color coding is one the most popular methods though.

There is industry standard brown orange yellow gray for 480/277 and black red blue white for 208/120 and possibly some local AHJ's that decide to make those required. But NEC leaves it up to designer or installer to decide the method. There also is wording somewhere that states you must post the identification method/legend at switchboards, panelboards, etc.

 

[Knipex Dream]

NEC doesn't specify any particular method, just that you need to identify system and phase when there is more than one system on the premises.

How you do that is sort of up to your imagination. Color coding is one the most popular methods though.

There is industry standard brown orange yellow gray for 480/277 and black red blue white for 208/120 and possibly some local AHJ's that decide to make those required. But NEC leaves it up to designer or installer to decide the method. There also is wording somewhere that states you must post the identification method/legend at switchboards, panelboards, etc.

Okay so with 1 voltage system all 3 phases can be identical but with more than one voltage system the 3 high phases must be differentiated from each other high phase as well as the 3 low phases must also be differentiated from each other requiring each A B and C phase to be identified requiring voltage and phase? In a building with both 208 and 480 you cannot have 3 identical appearing conductors of a known voltage feed a motor without identifying as A B and C?

 

[LarryFine]

Okay so with 1 voltage system all 3 phases can be identical but with more than one voltage system the 3 high phases must be differentiated from each other high phase as well as the 3 low phases must also be differentiated from each other requiring each A B and C phase to be identified requiring voltage and phase? In a building with both 208 and 480 you cannot have 3 identical appearing conductors of a known voltage feed a motor without identifying as A B and C?

They're disagreeing with you, that you could use three reds for 208Y/120 and three blues for 408Y/277.

 

[zbang]

Looks like you've got it., but forget about high and low- it's just that they're different. Consider that a facility could have both 480/277v wye and 480v ungrounded delta; same voltage between phases but very different systems.

When you get down to it, identifying the phases is good practice even if it might not be required.

 

[winnie]

It seems silly to have to identify phase for single phase loads.

Other than avoiding two different 277V phases in a switch box, why would I care what phase a lightbulb is on?

Jon

 

[Fred B]

Other than neutral and ground restrictions and highleg identification, NEC really silent but hear is "common" color coding for conductors under various conditions.