Neutral marking or color coding

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Yes the nec does require the marking of the neutral

200.6 Means of Identifying Grounded Conductors.
(A) Sizes 6 AWG or Smaller. An insulated grounded conductor
of 6 AWG or smaller shall be identified by one of
the following means:
(1) A continuous white outer finish.
(2) A continuous gray outer finish.
(3) Three continuous white or gray stripes along the conductor?s
entire length on other than green insulation.
(4) Wires that have their outer covering finished to show a
white or gray color but have colored tracer threads in
the braid identifying the source of manufacture shall be
considered as meeting the provisions of this section.
(5) The grounded conductor of a mineral-insulated, metalsheathed
cable (Type MI) shall be identified at the time of
installation by distinctive marking at its terminations.
(6) A single-conductor, sunlight-resistant, outdoor-rated
cable used as a grounded conductor in photovoltaic
power systems, as permitted by 690.31, shall be identified
at the time of installation by distinctive white
marking at all terminations.
(7) Fixture wire shall comply with the requirements for
grounded conductor identification as specified in 402.8.
(8) For aerial cable, the identification shall be as above, or
by means of a ridge located on the exterior of the cable
so as to identify it.

(B) Sizes 4 AWG or Larger. An insulated grounded conductor
4 AWG or larger shall be identified by one of the
following means:
(1) A continuous white outer finish.
(2) A continuous gray outer finish.
(3) Three continuous white or gray stripes along the conductor?s
entire length on other than green insulation.
(4) At the time of installation, by a distinctive white or
gray marking at its terminations. This marking shall
encircle the conductor or insulation.
Click to expand...
 
mbc1001 said:
My question is does the NEC require marking as long as the Phase wires are clearly marked?
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Neutrals
Grounded conductors (a more general term for neutrals)
Equipment grounding conductors
Grounding electrode conductors
High Leg phase conductors
DC ungrounded positive (NEC 2014)
DC ungrounded negative (NEC 2014)

Those are the conductors that are specifically required to be marked by a color perscribed in the NEC or other approved identification methods for each of these.

Color requirements for phase conductors used to be a rule in the code decades ago, but they are no longer. Most people try to follow the industry norms anyway. Sometimes you may intentionally use a different color code for phases, such as matching the existing markings in a building that was originally done incorrectly.

If you mix different voltage systems in the same raceway or enclosure, you do need to have a different set of markings for each.
 
Neutral marking or color coding

Thank you Dennis and Carulth. It seems industry norms are yellow stripes but some offer without. The NEC 200.6 allows for marking at termination but calls for Gray and White. Which
leads me to believe that that the contractor is the guy who determines whether he needs it or not if he has to mark it anyway.
 
mbc1001 said:
The NEC 200.6 allows for marking at termination but calls for Gray and White.
Click to expand...

That is only for wire that is #4 and larger.

If it is #6 and smaller, you need to start with white or gray wire for the neutral and green (or green w/ yellow stripe) for the EGC. In otherwords, wire that is continuously factory marked along its length, in a manner that identifies its functionality in the circuit.

There are some exceptions, such as that you are permitted to tape at terminations to re-identify #6 & smaller conductors that are part of a multiconductor cable assembly.
 
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Neutral marking or color coding

[The cable I'm inquiring about is all 6awg or larger 600V URD



QUOTE=Carultch;1630507]That is only for wire that is #4 and larger.

If it is #6 and smaller, you need to start with white or gray wire for the neutral and green (or green w/ yellow stripe) for the EGC. In otherwords, wire that is continuously factory marked along its length, in a manner that identifies its functionality in the circuit.

There are some exceptions, such as that you are permitted to tape at terminations to re-identify #6 & smaller conductors that are part of a multiconductor cable assembly.[/QUOTE]
 
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