World Wide Color Scheme 1

[tm1610]

I understand that EN 60204 says that conductors can be identified with consecutively numbered black conductors. I have a five conductor flexible cord intended to supply three phase power to some equipment. The cord is packaged up with a receptacle attached and is sent to the installations sites, the current cord conductors are colored; green, black, white, red and orange. This cord is not acceptable in EU installations, but is fine for US locations. Is the consecutively numbered black conductor scheme acceptable in the US? Is there a world wide color scheme, that would allow this cord to be installed anywhere?

 

[dpc]

You can use all black wiring in the US. The ends can be field-marked if necessary.

The basic restrictions in the NEC world are that a green wire MUST be ground, and a white wire MUST be neutral. These colors can't be used for anything else.

See NEC Articles 200 and 210 for more details.

 

[tm1610]

I see that NEC Article 200 and 210 mostly deals with individual wires. My application calls for 12AWG, 5 conductor jacketed flexible cable. Will these articles pertain to this type of cable?

 

[dpc]

As far as the NEC is concerned, I don't believe it would make a difference - cables or indivdual wires.