phase marking
- Thread starter erucka
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russ
Senior Member
- Location
- Burbank IL
Re: phase marking
Brown = A phase, Orange = B phase, Yellow = C phase. (BOY) is the way to remember it.
These are common color combinations, but are not required by the NEC.
Russ
Brown = A phase, Orange = B phase, Yellow = C phase. (BOY) is the way to remember it.
These are common color combinations, but are not required by the NEC.
Russ
- Location
- Massachusetts
Re: phase marking
As far as the NEC any color you want except white, there is some discussion as to if green is reserved for grounding.
Look at 2002 NEC 310.12(C)
In my area Brown, Orange, Yellow = 480/277
Black, Red, Blue = 120/208
As far as the NEC any color you want except white, there is some discussion as to if green is reserved for grounding.
Look at 2002 NEC 310.12(C)
In my area Brown, Orange, Yellow = 480/277
Black, Red, Blue = 120/208
- Location
- Bremerton, Washington
- Occupation
- Master Electrician
Re: phase marking
This question come up frequently. In the mid-seventies the NEC did contain a color code requirement. There have been numberous proposals made to have a color code requirement, but the code making panel comment has been " we don't want you to assume the system voltage from the wire color, we want you to test it and be sure"
Who can be sure the correct color will be used in the future. However if you do adopt a color code standard, you may need to post the colors used:
210.4 Multiwire Branch Circuits.
(D) Identification of Ungrounded Conductors. Where more than one nominal voltage system exists in a building, each ungrounded conductor of a multiwire branch circuit, where accessible, shall be identified by phase and system. This means of identification shall be permitted to be by separate color coding, marking tape, tagging, or other approved means and shall be permanently posted at each branch-circuit panelboard.
I suspect this requirement is not often followed.
This question come up frequently. In the mid-seventies the NEC did contain a color code requirement. There have been numberous proposals made to have a color code requirement, but the code making panel comment has been " we don't want you to assume the system voltage from the wire color, we want you to test it and be sure"
Who can be sure the correct color will be used in the future. However if you do adopt a color code standard, you may need to post the colors used:
210.4 Multiwire Branch Circuits.
(D) Identification of Ungrounded Conductors. Where more than one nominal voltage system exists in a building, each ungrounded conductor of a multiwire branch circuit, where accessible, shall be identified by phase and system. This means of identification shall be permitted to be by separate color coding, marking tape, tagging, or other approved means and shall be permanently posted at each branch-circuit panelboard.
I suspect this requirement is not often followed.
bphgravity
Senior Member
- Location
- Florida
Re: phase marking
Two other locations in the NEC specify color identification. This is 110.15 and 230.56 which are essentially the same code. These articles state that the High-Leg on a 4-wire Delta system shall be marked by an outer finish of ORANGE or by another effective means. To me, "another effective means" also could include another color. However, even though it doesn't specifically say it can't, I would not use orange on anything but a high-leg conductor. If orange is used, it could be assumed to be a high-leg of a delta system. Just a thought.
Two other locations in the NEC specify color identification. This is 110.15 and 230.56 which are essentially the same code. These articles state that the High-Leg on a 4-wire Delta system shall be marked by an outer finish of ORANGE or by another effective means. To me, "another effective means" also could include another color. However, even though it doesn't specifically say it can't, I would not use orange on anything but a high-leg conductor. If orange is used, it could be assumed to be a high-leg of a delta system. Just a thought.
luke warmwater
Senior Member
Re: phase marking
One jurisdiction that we work in has an ammendedment that requires:
277/480 Brown/Orange/Yellow
120/240 Black/Orange/Blue
120/208 Black/Red/Blue
One jurisdiction that we work in has an ammendedment that requires:
277/480 Brown/Orange/Yellow
120/240 Black/Orange/Blue
120/208 Black/Red/Blue
curt swartz
Electrical Contractor - San Jose, CA
- Location
- San Jose, CA
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor
Re: phase marking
San Francisco requires the following color codes:
120/240 Single Phase - "A" Black, "B" Red
120/208 Three Phase - "A" Black, "B" Red, "C" Blue
120/240 Three Phase - "A" Black, "B" Purple, "C" Red
277/480 Three Phase - "A" Brown, "B" Orange, "C" Yellow
They do not permit orange to be used for the high leg (B phase) of a 120/240 delta system. They require it to be purple.
San Francisco requires the following color codes:
120/240 Single Phase - "A" Black, "B" Red
120/208 Three Phase - "A" Black, "B" Red, "C" Blue
120/240 Three Phase - "A" Black, "B" Purple, "C" Red
277/480 Three Phase - "A" Brown, "B" Orange, "C" Yellow
They do not permit orange to be used for the high leg (B phase) of a 120/240 delta system. They require it to be purple.
- Location
- Massachusetts
Re: phase marking
Do these jurisdictions require this for cables also.
We have had jobs where the specs. required the right colors in our MC for branch circuits, in our case 480 brown, orange, yellow, and 208 black, red, blue.
This meant we had rolls of MC with orange and white, yellow and white etc. Towards the end of the job the marking tape comes out.
Do these jurisdictions require this for cables also.
We have had jobs where the specs. required the right colors in our MC for branch circuits, in our case 480 brown, orange, yellow, and 208 black, red, blue.
This meant we had rolls of MC with orange and white, yellow and white etc. Towards the end of the job the marking tape comes out.
A
a.wayne3@verizon.net
Guest
Re: phase marking
no russ the orange high leg is required to be identified all others no
Re: phase marking
The Code specifies conductor identification for isolated power systems (517.160(A)(5).
The colors for single phase shall be orange and brown. For three phase systems, the third conductor shall be yellow.
The Code also states the orange conductor is to be connected to the terminal of a receptacle that is identified for connection to the grounded circuit conductor.
MKB
The Code specifies conductor identification for isolated power systems (517.160(A)(5).
The colors for single phase shall be orange and brown. For three phase systems, the third conductor shall be yellow.
The Code also states the orange conductor is to be connected to the terminal of a receptacle that is identified for connection to the grounded circuit conductor.
MKB
russ
Senior Member
- Location
- Burbank IL
Re: phase marking
Wayne:
Your right about the NEC requiring the high leg of a 120/240 three phase being orange, but the original question was simply about 277/480 color codes. No harm in checking though.
Wayne:
Your right about the NEC requiring the high leg of a 120/240 three phase being orange, but the original question was simply about 277/480 color codes. No harm in checking though.
luke warmwater
Senior Member
Re: phase marking
Bob, yes, it's cables also. There's also an addendum that states all conductors #8 and smaller must be marked the entire length. You could be failed for using 10/2 NM to a 240v. A/C unit.
Bob, yes, it's cables also. There's also an addendum that states all conductors #8 and smaller must be marked the entire length. You could be failed for using 10/2 NM to a 240v. A/C unit.
- Location
- Bremerton, Washington
- Occupation
- Master Electrician
Re: phase marking
But you can never reidentify a single conductor as a grounded neutral, by taping, if smaller than 4 AWG (IE 6 AWG-not 8 AWG). Ifs it a single conductor and not a cable the code wants the correct color used.
You can reidentify a white/gray conductor in a cable assembly as black (grounded) in the above case, see 200.7(C)(1)
But you can never reidentify a single conductor as a grounded neutral, by taping, if smaller than 4 AWG (IE 6 AWG-not 8 AWG). Ifs it a single conductor and not a cable the code wants the correct color used.
- Location
- Massachusetts
Re: phase marking
Bob
And
Tom, I think Luke was talking about a local ordinance where he works and for me it was a job spec.
Bob
luke warmwater
Senior Member
Re: phase marking
Bob, yes, it's a local addendum and even though Tom is right about the Code, their addendum overrules and technically we cannot re-identify the white.
Bob, yes, it's a local addendum and even though Tom is right about the Code, their addendum overrules and technically we cannot re-identify the white.
- Location
- Bremerton, Washington
- Occupation
- Master Electrician
Re: phase marking
The requirement that 6 AWG can not be reidentified is widely overlooked by the AHJ's, 8 AWG as well. Most would write a violation on reidentification of 10 gage.
The requirement that 6 AWG can not be reidentified is widely overlooked by the AHJ's, 8 AWG as well. Most would write a violation on reidentification of 10 gage.
- Location
- Bremerton, Washington
- Occupation
- Master Electrician
Re: phase marking
Color for what conductor?
Grounded?
Ungrounded?
Color for what conductor?
Grounded?
Ungrounded?
russ
Senior Member
- Location
- Burbank IL
Re: phase marking
Frank:
A grounded conductor must be marked according to 200.6, so I'd say if B phase is grounded it has to be white or gray.
A and C phases could be Black and Blue for 240V, or Brown and Yellow for 480V, but by NEC it's not required.
I'm not sure what else would make sense, except maybe a lot of labeling of panels and boxes.
Russ
[ March 19, 2003, 11:21 PM: Message edited by: russ ]
Frank:
A grounded conductor must be marked according to 200.6, so I'd say if B phase is grounded it has to be white or gray.
A and C phases could be Black and Blue for 240V, or Brown and Yellow for 480V, but by NEC it's not required.
I'm not sure what else would make sense, except maybe a lot of labeling of panels and boxes.
Russ
[ March 19, 2003, 11:21 PM: Message edited by: russ ]
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