133) see below... I believe much of it is what is currently in your
NEC as with what's in earlier
NEC texts by way of description. I won't answer the question, instead it's something that should be looked up below in figuring out the important difference.
178) Code also says that on
zip cord the ribbed one is the
neutral. That's been around for a while now. Think your code
book is out of date. I studied the 99' version, you the next, I remember the changes to both. Think the 2005 version has corrected what we debate about in three verses one stripe plus the continious necessity. Neither of us has I think studied 2005 sufficiently. n1ist and others, you are welcome to jump in here as anywhere else.
On the other
hand, if you open a service
switch, pull box, or sub-panel and see five black wires inside it, one each is black, red, blue, white and green with a single stripe of color to each, would you really be thinking that a single white stripe is hot? That type of sensibility I think is move the motivation for this. For me, three stripes, while I have seen it before in use, is kind of a stupid rule.
If looking at some telephone cable looking
multi-cable that has colors of every type and stripe on the other
hand, there could be a good use for something like that. On the other
hand, once it's
multi-cable, it's non-user servicable parts and normally you get to use what ever
wire fits your diagram as long as those servicing the equipment are able to
meter or read the published spec for it. This such as on a
Socapex cable where it's already common that wires marked as 13-18 will be a
ground and even numbers a
neutral, it would not be feasible to be using the three stripe tecnique.
Also given cable
lay or where each
conductor is inserted in a cable bundle, if one were to use the conductors of various stripe where they fall, one would also wind up with a rats nest worth of wires going everywhere.
Three stripes, seen it done, about 95% sure it's only one stripe these days needed.
Wire Cord And Cable Types:
-2- High temp. Designation for 194°F continuous use cable.
Vulcanized Insulators = Rubber
Non Vulcanized Insulators = Synthetic
Neoprene Insulators = Heat, Oil, Gas and weather resistant.
AF-
Asbestos 302°F.
Fixture wire,18-10
Awg. Heat resistant,With some moisture resistant types.300v. Max.
AL- Impregnated
Asbestos Under 300v. 257°F., Dry only.
AVA, AVB, &
AVL Asbestos and Varnished Cambric, 194-230°F., Dry with
AVL wet.
B- Outer
Braid usually of Glass.
Bell-
wire usually low
voltage, usually of 18awg. No rubber used, just 2 layers of cotton twisted in opposite directions.
C-Two or more stranded wires with flexible
insulation for temporary use. Thermoset or Thermoplastic, Dry Use Only. Rough service
wire, but not as nice looking as “PO”. Twice as thick in
insulation but similar to “PO” with silk or Rayon top layer. Usually a yellow / green braided
jacket, “Green and Yellow
Cord”. No outer
jacket to wires, just twisted single strands.
Lamp Cord, 2 or more 18-10Awg. (Now is Thermoset or thermoplastic
insulation with outer cotton
cover.) Pendant and
portable use, not hard usage in dry locations.
DBRC- Old Household, double braided rubber coated
wire with cotton
braid. Weather and fire resistant.
E- Elevator Cable, 2 or more, 20-2
Awg. Conductors, Thermoset, 3 layer cotton braided with flexible Flame retardant and Moisture Resistant Nylon
jacket. For Elevator Lighting and Control in non-hazardous locations. Can incorporate 20
Awg Communications cable and or optical fibers within covering, and be permitted to be supported thru- center of
insulation. “L.S” Designation =Limited
Smoke flame retardant.
EO- Elevator Cable, Same as Above with one type available for Hazardous locations.
ET- Elevator Cable, Same as E, with a Rayon
braid on each
conductor.
ETLB- Same as E with No Braiding on each
conductor.
ETP- Same as E with Rayon Braided Conductors and for Hazardous Classified Locations.
ETT- Same as ETP with No Outer
Cover.
EV-
Electric Vehicle Cord. 18 - 500 KCMil.
Awg. Two or more conductors, plus grounding conductors and optional hybrid data or signal communications and optional fiberoptic cables. Thermoset with optional nylon
insulation and optional braiding. Thermoset outer covering. For
electric vehicle charging in wet locations and for extra hard use.
EVJ- Same as EV
cord but 18 to 12
Awg, and thinner
jacket.
EVE- Same as EV
cord, but with thermoplastic Elastomer
insulation and coverings.
EVT- Same as EV
cord, but with Thermoplastic
insulation.
F-
Fixture Wire, 90°C.
FCC-
Flat Copper Conductors,
edge to
edge for carpet, and under flooring.
FEP- Fluorinated Ethylene Propylene
Insulation, Rated over 194°F. Dry only.
FEPB- Same as FeP, but with glass
braid or
Asbestos type outer covering. 392°F. Dry only.
FFH-2- Heat resistant rubber coated
fixture wire, flexible strands, 167°F.Rubber coated and latex rubber coated types.
G- 8Awg to 500 KCMil., 2-6 conductors plus Grounding Conductors.
Portable Thermoset, Oil Res., Extra Hard Use.
Stage and Garage Cable.
H- Higher Loaded
Current Temp. May be used 167°F. Max.
HF- ECTFE Solid or 7 stranded. 18-14
Awg. Ethylene Chloro trifluoroethylene. 302°F.
Fixture wire.
HFF- ECTFE Stranded
wire, same as HF.
HH- Much Higher Temperature 194°F. Max.
HPD- Heater
Cord 18-12
Awg., 2 to 4 conductors. Dry Use Only. Thermoset or Thermoset with
Asbestos covered wires instead of cotton, but similar to type C. Covered with cotton or Rayon. Not Hard usage.
HPN- Heater
Cord, 18-12
Awg., 2 to 3 Conductors. Wet use, Light Duty Only. Oil resistant Thermoset. Non twisted.
HS- Heater
Cord, 14-12
Awg., 2 to 4 Conductors. Thermoset
insulation with cotton or Thermoset Outer Covering, Extra Hard Usage.
HSJ- Same as HS. But 18 - 12
Awg., Hard Usage only.
HSO- Same as HS. With Oil Resistance outer covering, Extra Hard Usage.
HSJO- Same as HSO but Only Hard Usage. 18 - 12
Awg Available.
HSOO- Same as HS. But with oil resistant Thermoset insulators, and oil resistant covering, Extra Hard Usage.
HSJOO- Same as HSOO but Hard Usage only and 18-12
Awg. Available.
IGS- Integrated Gas Spacer Cable, Exterior Use.
KF-1- and KF-2, Tape insulated
fixture wire, solid or 7 stranded, 18-10
Awg. Aromatic Polyamide taped, 392°F.
Fixture wire.
KFF-1- and KFF-2 Stranded KF
wire, note: -1- designates 300v. Max.
L- Lead
Jacket.
MI- Mineral Insulated, Metal Shielded cable. Magnesium Oxide, 194°F or 482°F., Dry or wet locations, with copper or Alloy Steel outer covering. Mineral insulated and Metal Shielded.
MTW- Moisture, Heat and Oil Res. Flame Retardant Thermoplastic. Machine tool wiring in wet locations 140°F. Or 196°F. In dry locations with Nylon or Equivalent
Jacket.
MV- Medium
Voltage Cable, Solid
Dielectric 2,001 volts plus.
N -Extruded Nylon or Thermoplastic Polyester, Tough and Very Resistant to Gas and Oil.
NM- “
Romex”, Non-Metallic cable with paper wrapping between conductors and plastic sheeting.
NMT- See RFH
wire Below. (Non-Metallic Tubing.)
NMC- “
Romex”, Non-Metallic cable with solid plastic sheeting.
O- Neoprene
Jacket. See SO cable.
P- Rough Service appliance vacuum cleaner type
cord. Flexible but like type “C”, coated in rubber like “POSJ”, encasing both strands with an appearance fabric outside layer.
PAF- Perfluroalkoxy, Solid or 7
strand, 482°F.
Fixture wire, 18-14
Awg. nickel or nickel coated copper
fixture wire. See PFA
wire.
PAFF- Stranded PAF
wire, 302°F.
PD- 18-10
Awg. Thermoset or Thermoplastic
Insulation Cotton braiding and Cotton or Rayon outer covering. Pendant or
Portable Wiring, Dry Locations, Not Hard Usage. Twisted
Portable Cord.
PF- Fluorinated Ethylene Propylene,
fixture wire, solid or seven stranded 392°F. 18-14
Awg.
Fixture wire.
PFA- Perfluorglkoxy, 194°F. For dry and damp conditions. See PAF
wire.
PFAH- Perfluorglkoxy, 482°F. Dry only,
Raceway or Apparatus
wire only.
PFF- Same as PF
wire, but stranded. 302°F.
PGF- Fluorinated Ethylene Propylene, Glass Braided. 392°F. Solid or seven stranded. 18-14
Awg.
Fixture Wire.
PGFF- Stranded PGF
wire, 302° F.
PO-
Lamp cord with outer layer of silk or Rayon. Wires not Twisted but Parallel. Cotton yarn wrapping round twisted strands; Insulators of rubber on top of cotton, which insulates rubber from sticking to strands making it more flexible. Cotton layer atop Rubber, with Rayon or silk
jacket enclosing two wires in parallel.
POSJ- New Replacement for “PO” using a rubber
jacket encasing both wires, and does not fray like fabric wires, can be washed.
PPE-
Portable Power Cable, 8 - 500 KCMil. With 1 - 6 conductors plus
ground conductors. Thermoplastic Elastomer
Insulation, with Oil Resistant Thermoplastic Elastomer Outer Covering.
Portable Extra Hard Use. Rated for
Stage and Garage use.
PTF- Extruded Polytetra Fluoroethylene, solid or seven stranded, 18-14
Awg. 482°F. Nickel or Nickel coated copper
fixture wire.
PTFF- Stranded PTF
wire, 302°F. 18-14
Awg.
R- Rubber or Neoprene
insulation. (Best Quality Rubber) Household Wiring.
RFH-1- Heat Resistant, Rubber Coated, 167°F. 18
Awg. 300v.
Fixture wire, solid or seven stranded. Also type “NMT”
Fixture wire.
RFH-2- Heat Resistant, RFH
wire, 18-16
Awg. 600v. with Latex Rubber or rubber coating. Otherwise the same as RFH-1
RFHH-2- (LS) Limited
Smoke Flame Retardant, Heat Resistant Cross linked synthetic polymer insulated
fixture wire. Solid or stranded 18-16
Awg. and cross linked synthetic polymer with out
jacket. No
cover or NMT 194°F. Multi
conductor cable, and
fixture wire.
RH- Thermoset, 167°F. Dry and Damp only, Flame Retardant, and Moisture Resistant. Best Quality, Better than RH and RP
wire. For Factories and like. Moisture Res. & Flame Retardant non-metallic Covering.
RHH- Thermoset, 194°F. Dry and Damp only, Flame Retardant, and Moisture Resistant.
RP- Best Quality Rubber
Insulation.
RUH- Heat Resistant Latex Rubber 167°F., Dry only.
RWH- Flame, Ozone and Moisture Resistant, 167° F. For dry and wet locations over 2,000 volts.
RWH-2- 194°F. Continuous Temperature Thermoset. For Dry and Damp locations.
S- Hard Service
Cord with two or more stranded conductors 18 - 2
Awg. with a serving of woven cotton between the copper and the Thermoset
insulation. Jute or other “fillers” are twisted together with the conductors to make a round assembly. Outer
jacket of high quality rubber or modern Thermoset. For
Portable or Pendant, damp locations. Extra Hard Use.
Stage and Garage Use.
SA- Silicone Rubber or Silicone
Asbestos, 194°F. For dry and Damp Areas. Silicone Rubber
insulation with Glass or other Braided covering. (392°F. Special Applications)
SBRC- Old Household, Single Braided rubber covered with cotton
braid.
SC- “
NEC” designation for Entertainment Industry and
Stage Lighting Cable; rated 600 volts 8 - 250 KCMil.
Awg., 1 or more Conductors. Extra Hard Usage. Thermoset
insulation and outer covering.
SCE- Same as SC, with
PVC or Thermoplastic Elastomer
Insulation and outer covering.
SCT- Same as SC, with TPE based thermoplastic
Insulation and outer covering.
SE- Flame Retardant and Moisture Resistant, Hard Service
Cord. 18 -2
Awg. 2 or more conductors, Use Underground,
stage and Garage and not Fire Resistant. Thermoplastic Elastomer
Insulation and outer covering.
SEO- Same as SE But with Oil Resistant Outer Covering.
SEOO- Same as SEO, But with oil Resistant
Insulation also.
SIS- Switchboard
wire 194°F. Thermoplastic Flame Resistant for Switchboards. Synthetic Heat resistant Rubber. Dry only.
SJ- Same as S-Cord, with Lighter
Jacket 18-10
Awg. 2-5 Conductors, Thermoset
Insulation and outer
jacket. Junior Hard service
Cord.
SJE- Same as SJ, with Thermoplastic Elastomer
Insulation and outer covering.
SJEO- Same as SJE But Oil Resistant.
SJO- Same as SJ But with Oil Resistant outer covering. Same as SO
cord, with an even lighter
jacket.
SJOO- Same as
SJO But with Oil resistant
insulation also.
SJT- Same as SJ
cord, except with outer
jacket and
insulation of (thermoplastic) Materials.
SF- Silicone 200°C.
Fixture wire.
SF-1or 2- Silicone Rubber NMT, 392°F. “-1" is 18
Awg. 300v. “-2" is 16-18
Awg. 600v. Solid or seven stranded.
Fixture wire.
SFF-1or 2- Stranded SF, NMT
wire. 302°F.
SO-
Cord, same as S
cord, thermoset
insulation with an oil resistant
jacket of neoprene or similar material thermoset. Rated for
stage and garage use.
SOO- Same as SO with Oil Resistant
Insulation
SN- Synthetic rubber
wire re-named “type T”, in 1947 from original 1940 code designation thermoplastic
insulation, with no cotton required, not cold resistant.
SP- Rubber “
Zip Cord”.
SP-1- All Thermoset Parallel
cord 20 -18
Awg, 2or3
Conductor. Pendant or
portable use, Damp Locations, Not Hard Use. Not twisted.
SP-2- Same as SP-1 but 18-16
Awg.
SP-3- Same as SP-1 But 18-10
Awg. For Refrigerators, Room Air Conditioners.
SPE- All Elastomer, (Thermoplastic) Parallel
Cord. 20-18
Awg. 2 or 3 Conductors. Otherwise same as SP-1 to 3
Cord.
SPT- “
Zip Cord”,
Fixture Cord, 2 or 3
wire Stranded, Designated by
gauge and number of wires. Eg: “18-3" is 18
gauge 3-wire. Thermoplastic
Insulation. Otherwise same as Sp-1 to 3
cord.
SRD- Range or Dryer Cable. 10- 4
Awg. 3 or 4 conductors. Thermoset
insulation and outer covering.
Portable for damp locations. 3-Conductor versions are not twisted.
SRDE- Same as SRD cable but Thermoplastic Elastomer
insulation and outer covering.
SRDT- Same as SRD cable but with Thermoplastic
insulation and outer covering.
ST- Same as S
cord, except with outer
jacket of (thermoplastic) Materials. 18-2
Awg. 2 or more Conductors. Rated for
Stage and Garage Use.
SV- Same as SJ
Cord, with an even Lighter
Jacket. Vacuum cleaner
cord. 18-16
Awg. 2 or 3 conductors. Thermoset
insulation and covering. Not hard use, pendant or
portable, damp locations.
SVE- Same as SV
cord but with Thermoplastic Elastomer
insulation and covering.
SVO- Same as SV
cord but with Thermoset
insulation and oil resistant Thermoset covering.
SVT- Same as SV
cord with outer
jacket of (therm plastic) Materials.
T-
Wire wrapped in thermoplastic
insulation for protection from below 32° to 150°. Tinsel
Cord 140°F,(TP, TS, TPT, TST)
TA- Thermoplastic and
Asbestos, 194°F., Switchboard use only.
TC- Signal
Wire,
Power and Control.
TW- T-Wire with water-resistant
insulation. Should not be buried directly in
ground. 140° Flame Retardant, Heat and Moisture resistant thermoplastic.
TBS- Thermoplastic with Fibrous outer
braid, 194°F. Fire Retardant (
Switch Boards).
TBWP- Triple Braided weather proof with no rubber used, 3 layers of water proof cotton used on single
wire outdoors services.
T2- Thermoplastic covered
fixture wire, solid or 7 stranded. 140°F. 18-16
Awg.
Fixture Wire.
TFE- Extended Polytetrafluoroethylene. 482°F. Dry Locations only, Apparatus or
Raceway lead wiring or open wiring,
Avl. With Nickel or nickel coated copper
wire only.
TFF- Same as T2
wire but stranded, 140°F.
TFN- Heat Resistant Thermoplastic covered
fixture wire of solid or seven strands. 18-16
Awg. And a nylon
jacket or equivalent covering 194°F.
TFNN- Same as TFN but stranded.
THW- TW-Wire 167°F. With heavier heat resistant
insulation. Dry and Wet Locations, Flame Retardant. (194°F. Special Applications within
electric discharge lighting equipment, 1,000w. open circuits or less.)
THHN- Thermoplastic 194°F.
Insulation with outer nylon (or equivalent)
jacket Heat Resistant, Flame Retardant with nylon or equivalent
jacket. Dry and Damp Locations.
THHW- Thermoplastic 167°F. Wet Locations. Flame Retardant, Heat Resistant. (194°F. Dry Locations.)
TFE- Extruded Polytetra Fluoroethylene. 482°F. Dry areas only for Apparatus and
raceway wiring or open wiring.
THWN- Thermoplastic
insulation, 167°F. with outer nylon (or equivalent)
jacket; Flame Retardant, Heat and Water Resistant.
TPE - ‘Flexalloy is a
PVC based
UHMW therrmoplastic elastomer from Teknor Apex, Vinyl Division, that is billed as being “lighter, more flexible, and more resistant to extreme cold” than cable producted with
conventional compounds. Coast
Wire and Plastics Technology is using it to
jacket a new
line of cable that they manufacture, called FlexOLite Touring Cable. The Flexalloy compound is used for the inner
insulation and for the outer
jacket. “One bigh advantage of Flexalloy vinyl TPE for
insulation and jacketing is that it weighs only half as much as rubber,” - Jim Crisman, VP of the Entertainment Div. Of Coast
Wire (PLSN p77 Cable Construction, Nov. 2003.
TPT- Parallel Tinsel
cord. 27
Awg. 2
conductor. Thermoplastic
insulation and covering. Attached to an appliance rated at not more than 50 watts and not more than 8 feet away with a special
connector, for damp locations and not hard, but extremely flexible use. Not Twisted conductors.
TS- Jacketed Tinsel
cord. 27
Awg. 2
conductor. Thermoset
insulation and covering, same as TPT otherwise.
TST- Same as TS
cord but with thermoplastic
insulation and covering.
UF- Underground
Feeder and Branch
Circuit Cable, 140°F. a water proof version of NMC, rated for burial in the
ground.
USE- Underground Service Entrance Cable not fire resistant but high temp.
Wire 167°F. Replaces Lead shielded cable. Heavily rubber coated, with outer covering extra water resistant, can also be type “T” with thermoplastic protection.
V- Varnished Cambric, #6 to MCM2000, 185°F., Dry use only.
W-
Cord Rated 2,000 volts Extra Hard Usage; 8-500 KCMil. 1-6 conductors. Replaced welding cable as in acceptable
stage cable until type SC was developed. Thermoset
insulation with Oil Resistant Thermoset
cover. Rated for
Stage and garage use.
X- Crossed linked Synthetic polymer, Very Tough, Moisture and Heat Resistant.
Fixture wire.
XF- Same as X
wire but solid or seven stranded, 302°F. 300v. 18-10Awg. Cross-Linked Polyolefin.
XFF- Same as XF, but stranded.
XHH- Thermoset, 194°F. Dry and damp locations. Flame Retardant.
XHHW- Moisture Resistant Thermoset, 194°F. For dry and Damp locations and 167°F. For wet locations. Flame Retardant, and moisture resistant.
Z-Dry and Damp Locations, 194°F.(302°F.Dry locations in special applications) Modified Ethylene Tetrafluoroethylene.
ZF- Modified ethylene tetrafluoroethylene, solid or seven stranded, 18-14
Awg. same as Z above, 302°F.
Fixture Wire.
ZFF- Same as ZF above but stranded.
ZHF- High temperature modified ETFE solid or seven stranded. 392°F. 18-14
Awg.
Fixture wire.
ZW- Modified Ethylene Tetrafluoroethylene Wet Locations, 167°F.; (194°F. Dry and Damp; 302°F. Dry, special Applications).