Tray Cable

[george t. everett]

My local supply houses (3) are selling 8/3 & 6/3tray cable for direct buial to feed residenial out buildings, such as detached garages & pool houses. This cable consists of 3 black conductors, numbered 1,2&3, and a ground. I told them that this is a code violation because the neutral has to be white. They said they have had no complaints. Any comments? What is the primary use for this cable?

 

[tom baker]

Re: Tray Cable

Tray cable is most often used in cable trays. (I edited my reply I didn't want to sound smart, but thats the most common application). I use thousands of feet of power limited tray cable, which is 300 volt rated. ...A black or other color conductor can be reidentified as a grounded conductor if its larger than 6 or 4 awg. The wholesale houses don't really care about code, just sales. A violation from an AHJ on an installation would get their attention.

[ July 08, 2003, 10:52 PM: Message edited by: tom baker ]

 

[don_resqcapt19]

Re: Tray Cable

Tom,
Most tray cable that I have seen is identified for direct burial use and this is permitted in 336.12(4). The only real issue is the re-identification of the conductor that is being used as the grounded conductor. Exception #1 to 200.3(E) limits the re-identification to occupancies where the conditions of maintenance and supervision ensure that only qualified persons service the installation. This would limit the use in a dwelling unit.
Do they make TC cable with a white conductor? I've never seen it.
Don

 

[tom baker]

Re: Tray Cable

Good question, I 'll check in my Belden catalog. They have several color codes one of which may be white black red...
Perhaps the mgf has an overstock of this type cable. 3 blacks?

 

[tom baker]

Re: Tray Cable

Good morning all. In the belden catalog it shows 3 different color codes for tray cable
K-1 is blk, wht, red, green, etc
K-2 is blk, red, blue
method 4 is all conductors are black, and numbered.

What I buy is K-2.