Color Matters- Electrical Wiring                                    Wenatchee and Cle Elum Home Inspection

One thing I find on home inspections is that wires are not properly identified. This can be a safety hazard because colors in wiring carry a certain designation. If a conductor is missed colored it could be mistaken for a hot conductor when it is a neutral or more important a neutral (grounded conductor) when it really is a hot conductor.

The NEC (National Electrical Code) requires that white or grey be used for the neutral power conductor (grounded conductor) and bare copper, green, or green with yellow stripe for the protective ground (grounding conductor). So you can use all other colors except these for the power/hot conductors.

Here we have an example of a neutral that is using a wire color (RED) that would identify the conductor as a power conductor.

An insulated grounded conductor (Neutral) of 6 AWG or smaller needs to be identified by a continuous white or gray outer finish or by three continuous white stripes (other than green insulation which cannot be used) along its entire length.

For wires larger than 6 AWG the same rules apply along with exception- At the time of installation, by a distinctive white or gray marking at its terminations. This marking shall encircle the conductor or insulation.

Earlier code cycles permitted switch loops using a white conductor to serve as a hot (ungrounded conductor) supplying the switch but not as the return ungrounded conductor to supply the lighting outlet. So now all white wires need to be re-identified if used as a hot (ungrounded conductor).

Now in some of today’s electronic switching devices they may have small power supplies that can be installed at switch locations. These devices require a neutral (grounded conductor) in order to power the internal components.

To avoid confusion and improper wiring it is now required to be re-identified when used as a hot (ungrounded conductor). Also the required re-identification must be effective, permanent, and suitable for the environment, to clearly identify the insulated conductor as an ungrounded conductor.

Ancora Imparo

NCW Home Inspections, LLC  is a Licensed Washington State Home Inspection service located in Wenatchee Washington serving Chelan County, Douglas County, Kittitas County, Okanogan County and Grant County Washington and the cities of Wenatchee, Leavenworth, Cashmere, Oroville, Cle Elum, East Wenatchee, Quincy and many more…  

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