Switch Leg Identification

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henry1223

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Where in the code does it tell me that I must use the same color switch leg as the phase it is on? This came up on A job that the lighting circuits are 277v. Thanks!
 
210.5 (C) said:
Identification for Branch Circuits.
Ungrounded Conductors. Where the premises wiring system has branch circuits supplied from more than one nominal voltage system, each ungrounded conductor of a branch circuit, where accessible, shall be identified by system. The 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 or similar branch-circuit distribution equipment.
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Nope, this just says that different voltage systems shall be identified. Nothing says that a switch with a yellow colored ungrounded 277v conductor on the load can't have a yellow conductor on the line side.

But I wouldn't do it. :)
 
Minuteman said:
Nope, this just says that different voltage systems shall be identified. Nothing says that a switch with a yellow colored ungrounded 277v conductor on the load can't have a yellow conductor on the line side.

But I wouldn't do it. :)
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According to article 200.7(C)2 this yellow colored ungrounded wire can only be on the line side of the switch.
 
RUWired said:
According to article 200.7(C)2 this yellow colored ungrounded wire can only be on the line side of the switch.
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Where does 200.7(C)(2) say this? The white or gray can be re-identified.
 
Minuteman was saying that the reidentified grounded conductor was being used on the load side of the switch.I was pointing out that it can only be used on the line side of the switch.
 
Bob,
Don the question was 'do we have to identify the phase of a switch leg'.
210.5(C) only requires identification of the system.
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True for now, but not in the 2002 code and likely not in the 2008 code. Under the 2005 code it still has to be identified by system if there is more than one system in the building and given the voltage is very likely that there is more than one system. Unless the method of system identification posted at each panel includes a identification of switch legs, then it would have be the same as what ever was used to identify the system.
Don
 
I can choose to make all the ungrounded phases of my 208 system violet and all the ungrounded phases of my 480 system pink.

Not saying I would do that, just that the answer to the question asked is no not by the NEC (Right now;))

FWIW I thought it odd that the NEC went backward when the removed the identification by phase requiremnt.
 
iwire said:
I can choose to make all the ungrounded phases of my 208 system violet and all the ungrounded phases of my 480 system pink.

Not saying I would do that, just that the answer to the question asked is no not by the NEC (Right now;))

FWIW I thought it odd that the NEC went backward when the removed the identification by phase requiremnt.
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It's also odd that the colors that most of us use are not required by the NEC, yet in the handbook they use the same colors in their examples.
 
Bob,
I can choose to make all the ungrounded phases of my 208 system violet and all the ungrounded phases of my 480 system pink.
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In that case, under the 2005 code, the 120 volt switch legs would have to be violet and the 277 volt ones would have to be pink. This would require them to be the same color as the color of the conductor that supplies the switch.
Don
 
don_resqcapt19 said:
Bob,

In that case, under the 2005 code, the 120 volt switch legs would have to be violet and the 277 volt ones would have to be pink. This would require them to be the same color as the color of the conductor that supplies the switch.
Don
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Code reference please.
 
don_resqcapt19 said:
Bob,

In that case, under the 2005 code, the 120 volt switch legs would have to be violet and the 277 volt ones would have to be pink. This would require them to be the same color as the color of the conductor that supplies the switch.
Don
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Yes I agree.
 
Here is the 08 Language from the pre print

It looks as if the 1971 (pre 75) languge is creeping back in


(C) Ungrounded Conductors. Where the premises wiring
system has branch circuits supplied from more than one
nominal voltage system, each ungrounded conductor of a
branch circuit shall be identified by phase and system at all
termination, connection, and splice points. The means of
identification shall be permitted to be by separate color
coding, marking tape, tagging, or other approved means.
The means of identification shall be documented in a manner
that is readily available or shall be permanently posted
at each branch-circuit panelboard or similar branch-circuit
distribution equipment. [ROP 2?22, 2?24, 2?19, 2?23]


Charlie
 
don_resqcapt19 said:
This would require them to be the same color as the color of the conductor that supplies the switch.
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210.5 (C) 2005
Where the premise wiring system has branch circuits supplied from more than one nominal voltage system, each ungrounded conductor of a branch circuit, where accessible, shall be identified by system. The means of identification shall be permitted to be separate color coding, marking tape, tagging, or other approved means and shall be permanently posted at each branch-circuit panelboard or similar branch-circuit distribution equipment
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Don, where does it say that the identification has to be the same color on both the line & load side of the switch?
 
What if my system is a pink conductor on the line side and a violet for a switch leg. Or, maybe I use a yellow with a letter tag "SW" on the switch leg? Could I use a brown with one pink tape band on the load side?
 
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