2011 NEC Art. 200.6(E) question... (probably yet another at that!)

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ibchristian

Member
Location
Florence, AZ, USA
Greetings all,

I'm newly registered on this forum, so please forgive me if I haven't done enough homework on this question... I'm a little pressed for time as things go! BTW I'm writing from the "Stan" which is where I work...

... Specifically, in 200.6(E) Exception 1, the term "multiconductor cable" is used when using white/gray tape on a non-white/gray conductor to identify it as a grounded (neutral) conductor. My issue is with the definition of the term "multiconductor cable", and so I solicit the vast well of knowledge here...

A contractor is using FMC (not AC or MC) with individual conductors (#12 THHN/THWN) and trying to say that they can mark them (blacks/reds/blues/whatever they've got) with white tape to indicate neutral... I'm saying that FMC w/individual conductors IS NOT the same as "multiconductor cable" and therefore is not permitted under 200.6(E) Exception 1...

I can't find a definition for "multiconductor cable" in "the Code", but my head is telling me that this material is multiple insulated conductors contained (read manufactured) within an overall jacket or sheath as part of a manufacturing process, not separate single conductors in a conduit, raceway etc as is the case with FMC and single conductors.

What say y'all?

Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated, including telling me I need to quit and go sell insurance or something as equally unsatisfying:dunce::slaphead::D!
 
wirebender

wirebender

Senior Member
Location
North Central Texas
ibchristian said:
Greetings all,

I'm newly registered on this forum, so please forgive me if I haven't done enough homework on this question... I'm a little pressed for time as things go! BTW I'm writing from the "Stan" which is where I work...

... Specifically, in 200.6(E) Exception 1, the term "multiconductor cable" is used when using white/gray tape on a non-white/gray conductor to identify it as a grounded (neutral) conductor. My issue is with the definition of the term "multiconductor cable", and so I solicit the vast well of knowledge here...

A contractor is using FMC (not AC or MC) with individual conductors (#12 THHN/THWN) and trying to say that they can mark them (blacks/reds/blues/whatever they've got) with white tape to indicate neutral... I'm saying that FMC w/individual conductors IS NOT the same as "multiconductor cable" and therefore is not permitted under 200.6(E) Exception 1...

I can't find a definition for "multiconductor cable" in "the Code", but my head is telling me that this material is multiple insulated conductors contained (read manufactured) within an overall jacket or sheath as part of a manufacturing process, not separate single conductors in a conduit, raceway etc as is the case with FMC and single conductors.

What say y'all?

Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated, including telling me I need to quit and go sell insurance or something as equally unsatisfying:dunce::slaphead::D!
Click to expand...

You are correct, this is not a cable assembly.
Not allowed even if it was MC or AC.
We can re-identify the white as a hot, but not the other way around.
 
augie47

augie47

Moderator
Staff member
Location
Tennessee
Occupation
State Electrical Inspector (Retired)
You are correct. FMC is defined in Art 348 as a "raceway". Individual conductors installed in the raceway would need to meet the appropriate Code. (200.6, 250.119, etc)
 
RichB

RichB

Senior Member
Location
Tacoma, Wa
Occupation
Electrician/Electrical Inspector
Here is 200.6

(A) Sizes 6 AWG or Smaller. An insulated grounded conductor
of 6 AWG or smaller shall be identified by one of
the following means:
(1) A continuous white outer finish.
(2) A continuous gray outer finish.
(3) Three continuous white stripes along the conductor?s
entire length on other than green insulation.
(4) Wires that have their outer covering finished to show a
white or gray color but have colored tracer threads in
the braid identifying the source of manufacture shall be
considered as meeting the provisions of this section.
(5) The grounded conductor of a mineral-insulated, metalsheathed
cable shall be identified at the time of installation
by distinctive marking at its terminations.
(6) A single-conductor, sunlight-resistant, outdoor-rated
cable used as a grounded conductor in photovoltaic
power systems, as permitted by 690.31, shall be identified
at the time of installation by distinctive white
marking at all terminations.
(7) Fixture wire shall comply with the requirements for
grounded conductor identification as specified in 402.8.
(8) For aerial cable, the identification shall be as above, or
by means of a ridge located on the exterior of the cable
so as to identify it.

No where are individual conductors pulled in FMC identified as "Multi-conductor cable". A multi-conductor cable is like SOW14-3 for example.

You are correct--they CAN NOT identify the neutral with phase tape--they CAN on the phase conductors however.
 
I

ibchristian

Member
Location
Florence, AZ, USA
... it's nice to know I'm not crazy, and even nicer to know that I'm paying attention to what the "Code" says... often times these guys try to get away with what the "Code" doesn't say, but then I'm sure you're all familiar with those shinanegans (sp?)

Anyway, I am humbled and very grateful for the quick response... it has confirmed everything that I thought, even that they can use a neutral (read white/gray) wire as a phase conductor and be so marked...

Thank you Augie47, RichB and Wirebender for the additional code quotes and for the AWSOME assist...

From the "Stan"...

Christian
 
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