Supply cord for 240V split phase

[pcplatypus]

We have an Australian piece of equipment fitted with a 230V IEC supply cord (Line = Brown, Neutral = Blue, Earth = Green/Yellow) which we would like to use in the US on 240V split phase. What is the normal supply cord / colours required by the NEC?

 

[LarryFine]

Welcome to the forum.

For premises wiring, white or gray are for grounded conductors, green or green/yellow for the EGC.

For three-wire cords, you'll find black, white, and green, unless you have custom-made cords made.

 

[suemarkp]

Does it use 120v at all or only 240? 240v would be two ungrounded wires (black and red is typical) and no neutral/grounded. If it will run at 120v, then one ungrounded (black) and one grounded (white). Grounding wire is green.

Many things with IEC power will take 100 to 250 volts. 120v is much more common here unless it needs over 12 amps in which case you use either a 120v 20A plug, or use a 240 plug.

 

[retirede]

Does it use 120v at all or only 240? 240v would be two ungrounded wires (black and red is typical) and no neutral/grounded. If it will run at 120v, then one ungrounded (black) and one grounded (white). Grounding wire is green.

Many things with IEC power will take 100 to 250 volts. 120v is much more common here unless it needs over 12 amps in which case you use either a 120v 20A plug, or use a 240 plug.

Nothing from Australia will use 120V.

 

[jaggedben]

We have an Australian piece of equipment fitted with a 230V IEC supply cord (Line = Brown, Neutral = Blue, Earth = Green/Yellow) which we would like to use in the US on 240V split phase. What is the normal supply cord / colours required by the NEC?

Does the equipment need a grounded circuit conductor?

 

[zbang]

For three-wire cords, you'll find black, white, and green, unless you have custom-made cords made.

Or buy cordage specifically made for the "international" market.

If the device uses a IEC C14 inlet connector (aka "PC power inlet"), you can purchase cords with the appropriate US supply connector (usually a NEMA 6-20), like this https://www.stayonline.com/power-cords/nema-6-20-power-cords-9906.asp. You can also get these for the C20 inlet (https://www.stayonline.com/pc_product_detail.asp?key=D6D74809A41045218E464B0C4DE12CA5) and for twist-lock supplies.

 

[electrofelon]

I hook up European equipment frequently that takes 240V L-N. I like to use a NEMA 7 for these

 

[pcplatypus]

Thank you for the welcome to the forum and helpful responses, this is most appreciated.
Here's some answers to the questions and more information.
The equipment only requires 240V, ie no neutral required. The 240V supply goes to a number of switch mode supplies and whilst these will run off 120V, we would need to increase the conductor sizes which is not practical, hence using 240V is preferred and very close to 230V in Australia (in practice usually 240V). The equipment current at 240V is <10A so quite modest,
The equipment is earthed so we would require L1, L2 and Earth but no Neutral. We are reluctant to use the IEC Brown, Blue and Green/Yellow cable as Blue is associated with Neutral and this would be connected to L1/L2. As I understand it, the NEC does not prescribe colours for L1, L2 (Hot), but it would seem better practice to use Red, Black and Green/Yellow rather than the IEC colours is this correct?
For the wall connection what plug/socket is used, would this be NEMA 6-20?

 

[jaggedben]

As I understand it, the NEC does not prescribe colours for L1, L2 (Hot), but it would seem better practice to use Red, Black and Green/Yellow rather than the IEC colours is this correct?

Yes, I agree. Black is traditionally L1.

 

[Elect117]

Australia is on a 50hz system?

You should have a converter to ensure there are no issues when using it on the US's 60Hz.

 

[zbang]

We are reluctant to use the IEC Brown, Blue and Green/Yellow cable as Blue is associated with Neutral and this would be connected to L1/L2.

AFAICT most UL-listed factory-assembled cords available here do that (check the links in my previous post); you can get them with or without the female connector (for direct wiring).

As I understand it, the NEC does not prescribe colours for L1, L2 (Hot), but it would seem better practice to use Red, Black and Green/Yellow rather than the IEC colours is this correct?

Yes if you're doing premises wiring, but portable cord has some different rules. For one, raw cordage is going to be klack/white/green, then add red, then add orange. It's permissible to remark the white as a non-neutral color.

For the wall connection what plug/socket is used, would this be NEMA 6-20?

That or an L6-20 for a 20 amp breaker. What's the actual load? If it's under 1800 watts most manufacturer's go with 120 volts and a 14g or 12g cord.

Re 50/60Hz- it may not matter, especially if that's feeding a switch-mode PS.

 

[LarryFine]

If you're talking about a cord assembly with molded ends, I can't imagine why the wire colors matter.

We use black/white/green cords for line-to-line loads all the time, sometimes re-coloring the white.

 

[kwired]

Does this equipment need for some reason to operate with one conductor being grounded (but still 240 between conductors)? If so probably need to have a transformer to convert from 120/240 to straight 240 and ground one end of the secondary.

 

[jaggedben]

Does this equipment need for some reason to operate with one conductor being grounded (but still 240 between conductors)? If so probably need to have a transformer to convert from 120/240 to straight 240 and ground one end of the secondary.

I already asked and he said no. Well, he said it didn't need a neutral.

 

[tortuga]

230V IEC supply cord (Line = Brown, Neutral = Blue, Earth = Green/Yellow) which we would like to use in the US on 240V split phase. What is the normal supply cord / colours required by the NEC?

The NEC was harmonized with IEC color codes in cords for this purpose decades ago (since 1978 if I am not mistaken)
So your L1= Brown, Neutral ( or L2) = Light Blue, Earth = Green/Yellow cord is good to go.
Section 200.6(C) covers Means of Identifying Grounded Conductors in flexible cords and refers you to 400.22 for the grounded conductor (neutral) and 400.22(C) states

For jacketed cords furnished with appliances, one conductor having its insulation colored light blue, with the other conductors
having their insulation of a readily distinguishable color other than white or gray.

 

[hbiss]

What is the normal supply cord / colours required by the NEC?

As @tortuga said, you are good to go. Those colors are used all the time on line cords here.

-Hal

 

[pcplatypus]

Thanks again everyone for your responses. @tortuga thank you for the information on the harmonisation of the NEC and IEC color codes. Looks my concerns for using Blue for L2 are not warranted. Out of interest is there an online link to the current NEC code or is this only available for purchase? I did look but could not easily find a link.

 

[tortuga]

Out of interest is there an online link to the current NEC code or is this only available for purchase? I did look but could not easily find a link.

NFPA 70 (NEC) Code Development

Stay informed and participate in the standards development process for NFPA 70

www.nfpa.org

Scroll down to the Select version part and look for the "free access" button.
Cheers

 

[pcplatypus]

That great, thank you

 

[zbang]

Not sure why I didn't think of this before, but if the cord is part of the equipment, the NEC itself usually does not apply ("it stops at the wall outlet"). Will this equipment be NRTL listed? They're going to be the ones to say something about individual colors inside the cord.

(Nationally-Recognized Testing Lab.)