So ... not just any two leads, except at the motor itself.
Thanks for the info
With the change in the scope of Article 210 in the 2017 code to include motor circuit conductors, in a building with more than one voltage system, the rotation change must always be made at the motor. I expect that this is not enforced and no one actually changes motor rotation at the motor.
Usually easier to get at the wires on the contactor.
I am unfamiliar with this requirement that rotation change must be made at the motor. Can you please provide the specific article that requires this. Thank you.
It results from the requirement in 210.5(C)(1). Prior to the 2017 code, this did not apply to motor circuit conductors.
The conductors from the starter to the motor are branch circuit conductors and with the change in scope of Article 210 in the 2017 code, the indentification requirements of 210.5(C) apply to the motor branch circuit. If you change the rotation at the starter, the conductors between the starter and the motor are no longer correctly identified by phase as required by the rule in 210.5(C).
My original post said if there was more than one voltage system. If there isn't, that is not an issue.
Duly noted..
Ok I can get on board with that logic, but I would say to be clear that it is not that you can't change at the contactor its to say that if you do then you have to re-identify at the motor as well. I only say this because some motor connections would take a long time to swap rather than at the contactor, but you would just need to re-identify to be code compliant. Would you agree with this?
I doubt 1 in 100 electrical people know that the seemingly innocent word changes mean you have to cease a widespread and entirely safe practice.
I disagree.
I was under the impression we were talking about the system having a "high leg" and thus it should be centered and always identified. Am I missing something about this post? Also, it doesn't mater which two you swap if you do not re-identify them then at the motor end it will not be a true representation of what phase it actually is on the system. I believe that is the intention of this code change.
If you change the rotation at the starter, the colors no longer correctly represent the phase and the code requires the identification by both phase and voltage system.
I can't imagine anyone following this rule and changing the rotation at the motor for that very reason. Part of my substantial for my PI to add an exception so that motor circuit conductors did not have to comply with this was that no matter what the code language says. the rotation will be changed at the motor starter, and a rule that is not going to be complied with does not belong in the code.
