So I go check on a commercial install I built a few years ago.
We had used red use-2 in the array for positive wires.
For negative, we ran white.
So far so good, as white = grounded conductor in this case.
Similarly, red is not green or white or gray, so it can be used per NEC for ungr. conductor.
However, you could not see ANY difference between positive and negative color coding.....
They were all white!
You scratched them they were still white.
Snow white.
WHat happened?
In the case of COLORED insulation, the USE-2 insulation bleaches white within years! Even when under panels.
(The Code that dictates color coding of conductors has been discussed in other threads. So no need to go there.)
Given a choice of many colors, I recommend black as the ungrounded wire for pv systems.
REASON: Black USE-2 does not bleach out and turn white.
Have you folks seen similar?
(Why do thes conductors change color??
I am told it is due to the manufacturing process.
All other colors ( e.g. red USE-2) are made by using bleached white insulation and then adding color. The color bleaches in time.
Black is - I believe originally black. NO bleach.)
We had used red use-2 in the array for positive wires.
For negative, we ran white.
So far so good, as white = grounded conductor in this case.
Similarly, red is not green or white or gray, so it can be used per NEC for ungr. conductor.
However, you could not see ANY difference between positive and negative color coding.....
They were all white!
You scratched them they were still white.
Snow white.
WHat happened?
In the case of COLORED insulation, the USE-2 insulation bleaches white within years! Even when under panels.
(The Code that dictates color coding of conductors has been discussed in other threads. So no need to go there.)
Given a choice of many colors, I recommend black as the ungrounded wire for pv systems.
REASON: Black USE-2 does not bleach out and turn white.
Have you folks seen similar?
(Why do thes conductors change color??
I am told it is due to the manufacturing process.
All other colors ( e.g. red USE-2) are made by using bleached white insulation and then adding color. The color bleaches in time.
Black is - I believe originally black. NO bleach.)