Cable marking

[oscaril]

Guys,

Should the coatings of cores of cables be of different colors along the full length according to NEC? What to do if the PVC covers of the same color? Then could they be dyed or taped at ends according to accepted color marking? Won't this contradict NEC?

Thanks

 

[waross]

Are the conductors larger than #6?
Will only qualified persons service the conductors?

 

[saladhawks]

See NEC 2002 310.12. for general overview on Conductor Identification.

NEC 2002 200.6 for the identification of Grounded Conductors.

NEC 2002 250.119 for the identification of Equipment Grounding Conductors.

Depending on your circuit configuration, make sure the applicable Grounded / Equipment Grounding Conductors meet the above Code References.

Then, your Ungrounded Conductors need to be clearly distinguishable from the Grounded / Equipment Grounding Conductors.

 

[waross]

An instance.
I have installed many multi conductor control cables (14 AWG) which contained all black conductors. The conductors were numbered for identification. There was a bare ground conductor. Because of the absence of an identified circuit conductor(s) there are circumstances in which it would probably be prohibited to use these cables for power circuits.
yours

 

[mc5w]

Actually though, if the conductors are numbered then there would be a way to permanently retag a wire and the neutral. The NEC rules are based partly on how much trouble it is to ring out smaller conductors and that in some situations such a residential the general contractor hires the dumbest electricians he can find on the basis that dumber is cheaper. I have been told on a lot of job interviews that I am overqualified read too expensive before I can even get to talking about what wage rate I want or what wage rate I think that the job is worth. The equal pay for equal work law does not say that you have to pay for someone's intelligence that is over what is required for the job but some snots do not understand that.

If you were wiring say 14 solenoid valve such as for cleaning the bags in a baghouse you can go over to Belden and get cables that have black-white-red trios and retag the red wires green.

 

[waross]

Hi mc5w
Thanks for the information.
The Canadian code is a lot more restrictive on methods of marking. However, the solenoids you mentioned could be classed as a control circuit and wired with the all black wire. Actually, one installation with all black conductors was for hot gas defrost solenoids for refrigeration. For sizes below #2, there is a requirement that the marking be Continous which effectively rules out marking just the ends of the cables.
The Belden configuration you mentioned would probably be acceptable in Canada if the assembly contained one bare or green ground wire that would be used as a common ground.
yours

 

[oscaril]

Waross, yes, it's a control cable. The number of cores and cross section area are 5x35mm2. The cable has all the characteristics the power cable does according to manufacture's specifications. Each coating of cores has a thin specific colorful strip on it.
I just wanted to use it instead of a power cable. And if you had such a precedent in your life, can I use it as a power cable?

Thanks,

 

[dpc]

If all conductors are black, it's not a problem to use a power cable, provided it meet other requirements. If this is to be used in the US, it should have UL mark. We routinely use 3/C or 4/C #12 cable for power circuits. But your description makes it sound like a non-US cable. Don't underestimate the problems associated with using a non-UL marked cable in the US. If it is part of a piece of equipment you may be OK, but if this is to be pulled in the field, a non-UL, non-NEMA cable could be a show-stopper.

NEC allows field marking of phase, neutral, ground, etc, at least it did the last time I looked. The colored strip could be a problem if green or white is used. Per NEC, green color can only be used for grounding conductor and white or grey can only be used for neutral conductor. From an NEC standpoint, all black would be better than the colored marking strips.