Non-Grounding 50A Color Code Cord

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motorsportsjs

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Hi,
I'm having an issue finding a cord that fits the required color code for a 120/240 50A non-grounding angle plug. I cannot find anyone that makes 6/3 SO with red, black, and white conductors. I've tried several wire suppliers and eventually called the plug manufacturer. I asked them if they knew where this cord existed and, more or less, their response was it doesn't. I've got two questions. Does it exist? If not and I use 6/3 SO with a white, black, and green conductor, can I tape or heat-shrink the green wire to make it red and still be within code? Cord manufacturers specify the green conductor is for grounding only so I'm not sure if taping it would be acceptable. Is there another cord that I could use for a short (4') extension cord application? Thanks in advance for help!
 
Your electrician will be able to help you with code issues.

Roger
 
Using 6/4 and cutting the green, while it would give you the red, black, and white, is hardly ideal, particularly in a high volume production environment. Is there no other option? Does this cord not exist? How can code require something and the manufacturer specify something that isn't made. Am I missing something here?
 
motorsportsjs said:
Using 6/4 and cutting the green, while it would give you the red, black, and white, is hardly ideal, particularly in a high volume production environment. Is there no other option? Does this cord not exist? How can code require something and the manufacturer specify something that isn't made. Am I missing something here?
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High volume production environment? Is the cord for the product? If the price is right some one will make whatever you need.
But then if it were for the product you wouldn't need the nec and if it were for the production equiptment you would need an electrician.
 
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motorsportsjs said:
Using 6/4 and cutting the green, while it would give you the red, black, and white, is hardly ideal, particularly in a high volume production environment. Is there no other option? Does this cord not exist? How can code require something and the manufacturer specify something that isn't made. Am I missing something here?
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This seems to be more efficient than using shrinktube or tape on the wrong colored conductor.

LarryFine said:
3-wire range cordset?
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I was thinking the same thing.
 
3 wire range or dryer cordsets - you may as well purchase cordsets with the end molded onto the cordset. Not much else out there that would not require an equipment grounding conductor.
 
motorsportsjs said:
Hi,
I'm having an issue finding a cord that fits the required color code for a 120/240 50A non-grounding angle plug. I cannot find anyone that makes 6/3 SO with red, black, and white conductors. I've tried several wire suppliers and eventually called the plug manufacturer. I asked them if they knew where this cord existed and, more or less, their response was it doesn't. I've got two questions. Does it exist? If not and I use 6/3 SO with a white, black, and green conductor, can I tape or heat-shrink the green wire to make it red and still be within code? Cord manufacturers specify the green conductor is for grounding only so I'm not sure if taping it would be acceptable. Is there another cord that I could use for a short (4') extension cord application? Thanks in advance for help!
Click to expand...

What I'm curious about is what kind of load is allowed to not have a equipment grounding conductor? only two in the NEC that I can think of, and both are only allowed for existing installations.:confused:
 
kwired said:
3 wire range or dryer cordsets - you may as well purchase cordsets with the end molded onto the cordset.
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That's exactly what I meant. The OP wanted an angle plug, a 50a rating, and no separate EGC.

I'm not saying it's Kosher, but it fits the request.
 
K2500 said:
High volume production environment? Is the cord for the product? If the price is right some one will make whatever you need.
But then if it were for the product you wouldn't need the nec and if it were for the production equiptment you would need an electrician.
Click to expand...

I could have custom cable made but it wouldn't carry any UL or NEC listing.

As far as the 3-wire pre-molded cord goes, the leads aren't long enough for the application and when you attempt to pull the leads apart from each other, it often rips the insulation from the conductor. How can 3-wire range cords carry no color code (each conductor is grey)? Is there some exception because it is pre-molded?
 
IMHO in most cases the cord is outside the purview of the NEC. Yes, the NEC covers things like the use of flexible cords installed as part of a structures permanent wiring, but cord that is part of an appliance is covered by UL, not the NEC.

If you are building a cord into an appliance, then the cord will get listed when you get the appliance listed. If you really have an application that needs 120/240V, but which doesn't need an EGC, then I am sure a suitable black/red/white cord would be acceptable, and can certainly be custom made. However it is very likely that when you try to get the appliance listed, UL will require grounding, and then you are back to a black/white/red/green cord.

You also have the problem of where you could plug the appliance in. Even if the appliance does not require grounding, I don't believe that NEC will permit the installation of a non-grounding receptacle. So you would need a non-grounding cord designed to plug into a grounding receptacle (like a two prong cord that plugs into a 3 prong 120V/15A receptacle).

Just guessing here; outside of my normal work.

-Jon
 
motorsportsjs said:
I could have custom cable made but it wouldn't carry any UL or NEC listing.

As far as the 3-wire pre-molded cord goes, the leads aren't long enough for the application and when you attempt to pull the leads apart from each other, it often rips the insulation from the conductor. How can 3-wire range cords carry no color code (each conductor is grey)? Is there some exception because it is pre-molded?
Click to expand...

There are more ways than color coding to ID the grounded conductor in a flexible cord.

Check out 400.22 (E) and (F).
 
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