wire color code

[randy@faa]

is it acceptable to change the designation of a wire by applying electrical tape of a specific color? If so, what NEC article may I find this reference?

My example: applying green electrical tape to a white wire to change its designation from neutral to ground.

tks
randy

 

[iwire]

Re: wire color code

For the grounded conductor Yes and No you should look at 2002 NEC 200.7(A) and (C).

If in pipe no, if in a flexible cord or cable assembly yes.

For the grounding conductor look at 250.119 and it is yes and no again.

You will have to look at both places to know what fits in your case.

[ June 25, 2003, 06:00 PM: Message edited by: iwire ]

 

[ryan_618]

Re: wire color code

GRR...I blew up a good pair of strippers cutting a "green" wire one time that was in a pipe.

 

[roger]

Re: wire color code

Ryan, I have preached to apprentices that the only color that means anything is the color of their testers.

Now, we have been here before, but, the wording of the NEC doesn't restrict green from being used for an ungrounded conductor. See 310.12

Roger

 

[luke warmwater]

Re: wire color code

How 'bout a bare conductor(in NM) wrapped with black tape and used as a hot??

You laugh, but one of my guys wasn't laughing when he got hit by it.

Another contractor wired this garage years ago. The wire was feeding the wall packs which were controlled by a photocell in the first fixture, but the light was dead-ended.

They used BLACK as feed in, WHITE as grounded conductor, and BARE taped Black as switch leg of photocell to other wall packs.

 

[noxx]

Re: wire color code

Have seen that more the once, most recently only a week ago. Have to love Joe Homeowners work..

-Noxx

 

[websparky]

Re: wire color code

Hi Roger,

It seems to say that green may not be used as a ungrounded conductor.

NEC 2002
250.119 Identification of Equipment Grounding Conductors.
Unless required elsewhere in this Code, equipment grounding conductors shall be permitted to be bare, covered, or insulated. Individually covered or insulated equipment grounding conductors shall have a continuous outer finish that is either green or green with one or more yellow stripes except as permitted in this section.


310.12 Conductor Identification.
(C) Ungrounded Conductors. Conductors that are intended for use as ungrounded conductors, whether used as a single conductor or in multiconductor cables, shall be finished to be clearly distinguishable from grounded and grounding conductors.

Or, am I missing something?

Thanks,
Dave

[ June 26, 2003, 05:31 PM: Message edited by: websparky ]

 

[ed downey]

Re: wire color code

Dave,

I Believe Roger Is Correct There Is Nothing In What You Have Posted That Says That Green Cannot Be Used For A Ungrounded Conductor.

If You Look At 210.119 It Says The Equipment Grounding Conductor Can Be Bare, Green, Or Green With Yellow Stripe.

And Section 310.12 Says That The Ungrounded Conductors Shall Be Clearly Distinguishable From The Grounded And Grounding Conductor.

Now If You Have A Bare Equipment Grounding Conductor You Could Technically Have A Green Ungrounded Conductor Because It Is Clearly Distinguishable From The Bare Wire Which Is The Equipment Grounding Conductor.

 

[iwire]

Re: wire color code

Do a house with NM cable and I could use 2 greens and a white for service entrance conductors.

 

[websparky]

Re: wire color code

Thanks for the replys!

I guess I was looking at the "spirit" of the code and not the express "shall not".

Dave

 

[iwire]

Re: wire color code

Hi Dave, I am not really going to use green for service entrance conductors, and I have always thought the intent was to use green only for grounding.

But when you read this it leaves questions.

310.12 Conductor Identification

(C) Ungrounded Conductors. Conductors that are intended for use as ungrounded conductors, whether used as a single conductor or in multiconductor cables, shall be finished to be clearly distinguishable from grounded and grounding conductors.

What I am saying is they thought long and hard on the wording, why not just say

(C) Ungrounded Conductors. Conductors that are intended for use as ungrounded conductors, whether used as a single conductor or in multiconductor cables, shall not be green or white

 

[websparky]

Re: wire color code

Hi Bob,

I agree! It sure would make it simpler to just state the rules. But then, we wouldn't have the "green issue" to kick around!

Thanks,
Dave

 

[frenchelectrican]

Re: wire color code

hi dave and bob ;

yeah i can understand about using green conducter for grounding conduter but what i did read both usa Nec and european ( french electrcal codes ) and both reply simuar answer for grounding conducters they say bare and green and green with yellow stripes are grounding conducters but instering twist i did check the colour codes from european countries in old days they did use green as phase conducters but it did change to grounding sometime back now in france the neutral conducters are bleu as far for phase it is brown but i will not get invold with other debate i will try to stick to usa colour codes here and nec also if need more question just ask me i will give some detail of european colour codes

merci marc

 

[david]

Re: wire color code

400.23 Equipment Grounding Conductor Identification.


A conductor intended to be used as an equipment grounding conductor shall have a continuous identifying marker readily distinguishing it from the other conductor or conductors. Conductors having a continuous green color or a continuous green color with one or more yellow stripes shall not be used for other than equipment grounding purposes. The identifying marker shall consist of one of the methods in 400.23(A) or (B).

You cannot use a conductor with green identification for ungrounded conductors for any wiring covered under the national electrical code.

David

 

[hurk27]

Re: wire color code

But one problem section 400.23 is only for portable cords and cable not chapter 3 type wiring?

 

[roger s deas]

Re: wire color code

David, as Wayne points out, your code quote pertains only to that article which, is a stand alone article. The fact that the NEC should address this, and that we, as trade people don't do it, does not change the fact that right now, it doesn't restrict green from being used as an ungrounded conductor.

Roger

 

[maiden70]

Re: wire color code

what about using green electrical tape to mark a black cable as a ground? I just pulled 150' of #4 copper with black insulation to a subpanel because the store didnt have any that guage with green insulation..I wrapped the exposed cable end inside the subpanel with green electrical tape..am I going to have to pull this all out and replace it? Or is it a judgement call by the inspector?

 

[don_resqcapt19]

Re: wire color code

maiden70,
See 250.119(A).
Don

 

[maiden70]

Re: wire color code

thanks Don,
looks like I am ok with the #4. Glad I dont have to redo that pull!

 

[randy@faa]

Re: wire color code

Thanks folks,

I appreciate the discussion. It seem that interpretation leaves some latitude depending on reference and reader based on what many of you have posted. May be as suggested we should look at proposing such a change in the next edition of the NEC for clarification?

I suppose for now, to quote "in the spirit" of the NEC and to avoid any safety concerns/confusion, I will lean toward the NEC references you have posted, green is ground and the white is neutral, just to keep it simple.

Thanks again folks, I appreciate the responses, references and discussion on this topic!
...and as always, added to my tool bag...

Randy