Colored THHN: restrictions?

I_think_I_conduit

Hey, if I run out of one color of THHN, is there any restriction on what color I use as long as I tape/mark it?


I have plenty of white wire left but do not want to buy any more black.

My understanding is that I can use any color at any time as long as I tape it or use a marker (any color but green).


Is that correct?

Scuba_Dave

No, not when running small single wires
Black must be black, white white, green green
Anything smaller then #4 can't be remarked

On romex you can remark the white black for a switch loop

AllanJ

Any color for small wires refers to hot wires only and you can use any color besides white or green. You can also mark hot wires with additional color tags (besides white and green) to make it easier to identify which circuits are which.

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The disadvantages of crab apple trees. In summer, the apples are too sour to pick and eat. In winter the birds come and leave dropping all over the place.

AndrewF

but you cannot use/mark a white/neutral for another hot.

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-Andrew
DIY hobbiest

Speedy Petey

Well, in cable you can.

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Sometimes I feel like if I answer any more questions it is like someone trying to climb over a fence to jump off a bridge and me giving them a boost.

I_think_I_conduit

REALLY. I always assumed I could tape white wire with colored tape.

I understand "shoulds". But my question is about code.

Scuba_Dave

Code says NO to remarking white or green as a hot
There are different colors as hot, but I've never used anything but red or black

No-one said anything about "should"

EBFD6

As others have said, it is against code. You absolutely, positively, can not use a white wire for anything other than a neutral (grounded) conductor. Also you can not use a green wire for anything other than a ground (grounding) conductor. The only exception for this, as Speedy said, is in a multi conductor cable assembly, but if you are pulling separate conductors in conduit, then no.

Those two colors are the only specific colors that the code restricts (well there are a few other instances, but nothing you would ever need in residential wiring). You can use any other color you want for the hot conductors.

Industry standards are black, red, blue for 120/208/240 volts, and brown, orange, yellow for 277/480 volts, but those are not governed by code only standard industry practices.

I_think_I_conduit

ok ok....i believe you.

BUT, I can tape black wire with white? or does that only apply to service?

EBFD6

Only #4 awg and larger. Any wire #6 awg and smaller you must use the proper color insulation, they can not be re identified (except multi conductor cables) white for neutral, green/bare for ground, and whatever you choose for phase(hot) colors.

I_think_I_conduit

I really appreciate the clarification/info.