Re Identify a #12 red conductor for a neutral conductor

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jap

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Electrician
This is a violation is it not?

I realize you can re identify a conductor with white insulation for something else but not the other way around, correct?

JAP>
 
200.7 (A)-3 has got me confused.

Say there was 2 #12 Reds in a box and a #12 green EGC that used to feed a 20a 240v receptacle.

To change this to a 120v outlet would one have to replace one of the red wires all the way back to the panel to be legal?

I'm thinking yes.
Am I wrong?

JAP>
 
200.7 (A)-3 has got me confused.

Say there was 2 #12 Reds in a box and a #12 green EGC that used to feed a 20a 240v receptacle.

To change this to a 120v outlet would one have to replace one of the red wires all the way back to the panel to be legal?

I'm thinking yes.
Am I wrong?

JAP>
That's correct. It's really a pisser when you're working on a gas pump and have to grind off the seal off just because some twits on the cmp are afraid of a piece of tape.
 
... pretty sure you can't phase tape over white insulation.

Allowed when you are using the white wire of a preassembled 2-conductor cable as a second hot. Though I find it easier to use a black marker with a notch cut into the tip.

Also allowed when using the same type of cable as a switch loop.
 
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It's not allowed because you can't re identify conductors smaller than 4AWG, and pretty sure you can't phase tape over white insulation.

You can tape to distinguish the phases where not required by code, on any size of wire, unless a state/local rule governs otherwise. So you can pull all black for the three phases, white for the neutral, and green for the ground, and then tape the phase conductors black/red/blue to identify which is which. Identifying the phases is not mandatory anyway, but is best practice to do per industry norms. It was required at one point, but it isn't anymore.

What you are not allowed to do is use tape to identify the #6 and smaller wires, where a specific color is required by code. The wire's factory finish has to start correct for the wire's purpose, in the #6 and smaller sizes.
 
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You can tape to distinguish the phases where not required by code, on any size of wire, unless a state/local rule governs otherwise. So you can pull all black for the three phases, white for the neutral, and green for the ground, and then tape the phase conductors black/red/blue to identify which is which. Identifying the phases is not mandatory anyway, but is best practice to do per industry norms. It was required at one point, but it isn't anymore.

What you are not allowed to do is use tape to identify the #6 and smaller wires, where a specific color is required by code. The wire's factory finish has to start correct for the wire's purpose, in the #6 and smaller sizes.

What if I have a green insulated 12AWG and I strip off the green and then tape over the wire with blue. Can I do that?
 
200.7 (A)-3 has got me confused.

Say there was 2 #12 Reds in a box and a #12 green EGC that used to feed a 20a 240v receptacle.

To change this to a 120v outlet would one have to replace one of the red wires all the way back to the panel to be legal?

I'm thinking yes.
Am I wrong?

JAP>


If it were a hard/impossible re-pull, or hundreds of feet of wire, I'd use some white heatshrink tubing at both ends (and possibly at pull boxes if necessary) and sleep well at night.



SceneryDriver
 
Allowed when you are using the white wire of a preassembled 2-conductor cable as a second hot. Though I find it easier to use a black marker with a notch cut into the tip.....
I absolutely despise that rule so all I do is make a few quick scribbles with a sharpie.

I'm still not sure you can tape over white insulation in sizes larger than 6AWG.
 
If it were a hard/impossible re-pull, or hundreds of feet of wire, I'd use some white heatshrink tubing at both ends (and possibly at pull boxes if necessary) and sleep well at night.



SceneryDriver


And yet still be a code violation.

JAP>
 
If it were easy I'd have the office girls do it....
We are so fortunate to have credentials and codes that provide some level of expected quality within our trade.

This issue has nothing to do with quality standards. It's a stupid rule. You stand a bigger chance damaging a conductor repulling it than using a piece of tape.
 
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