#6 gauge, copper, THWN cable run underground in conduit.
This cable is readily available in my area with black as the insulation jacket color. I would like to avoid buying 4 different colors of wire if possible (legal).
I will need to pull 2 hots (black and one other color, probably red), one neutral (which should be white to avoid confusion), and an insulated ground (green, again to avoid confusion).
Question:
Can I pull all 4 conductors in the readily available black and “recode” the ends in the subpanel and a mid-run junction box?
I seem to remember that if recoding wire in a conduit run, the recoding color must cover all of the jacket which is visible at both ends of the run, i.e., a single wrap of colored tape is not enough – tape would have to extend over all of the “visible” wire.
Anybody have the definitive answer?
Jim
Replies
yes here they allow you to paint or tape all exposed wire the color of choice...
p
Thanks, where is "here".
JimNever underestimate the value of a sharp pencil or good light.
The code says all visible wire, both ends, from connector to the termination. Inspectors in E. Tennessee aren't too strict with the re-phasing, they usually always just let us tape it. As far as the neutral and ground are concerned, its not just about avoiding confusion, the code specifies that you mark those. As a matter of fact, I don't think that you are required to identify the other phase conductors, just the neutral and ground. We identify them anyways.
What you are wanting to do will be fine. Just tape them neatly, and cover as much of the jacket as you can, and I think you will be O.K.
Edited 1/4/2009 7:32 pm ET by arcflash
Thanks, that is what I thought.
JimNever underestimate the value of a sharp pencil or good light.
IF you want to comply with the NEC, you can't re-identify a conductor AWG 6 or smaller as the neutral (ungrounded) conductor. It has to be white or gray, or a color other than green with three white stripes running along its length--see the 2005 NEC, 200.6(A). This is not a new requirement, it's been in the Code for several cycles now.
Equipment grouding conductors larger than AWG 6 can be re-identified at time of installation (250.119(A)).
In practice, it's done all the time.
Cliff
If you're smart, you will color code the ends of the wire BEFORE pulling it: it's a whole lot easier to figure out which wire is which!
All together now:
Aaaahhh-men!
Cliff
p.s. And make sure the helper doing the taping is on the ball. Nothing like closing a feeder breaker on a dead short... C.
"Nothing like closing a feeder breaker on a dead short..."Is that where the term "sparky" for electricians came from?BruceT