What is wrong with this picture??

[bandag]

Looks like the ground wire is rubbing the hot wire lug

[Joe Farsetta]

That's what she said...

[wsiegel]

I love all the comments guys. Some of you raised questions that I did not think of, and others clarified things I needed to know.

This is a typical upgrade that was done without permits by the realtors boyfriend. His work is better than most, but still leaves a lot to be desired.

[Greg Fretwell]

What's wrong with the colors Paul? Other than the missing tape on the neutral I haven't really seen a problem. Maybe I am just missing something. I always do badly with pictures.

[Paul W. Abernathy]

Well greg...I did not say it was technically a violation but I dont like seeing Orange colors in a 240/120 panel. Around my area the AHJ will flag anything that is not 277 and so on with Orange.

Generally would not see that color being used unless it was a high leg situation or different voltages....others may disagree.

Greg...I agree as well.....one of the hardest things I feel their is to do is make comments on pictures because their is always something I just can't see...which is normal for me because I do wear glasses and today they have PAINT all over the lenses....painters were on the job today and I was running around like mad making sure my boxes were not SPRAYED to high heaven.

[Greg Fretwell]

277 and up?
Orange is also mandated for the high leg of a 240v delta

If you are going to ban orange in single phase installations you have to ban yellow, brown and violet too. Pretty soon you run out of colors. In pipe (not using a cable) I will run any color except red and black for 240v circuits. Then I know at a glance this is not 120v stuff. I like colors for making it easier to sort out what is going on. I guess I got it in computer rooms where they have a cart with every color made, stranded and soild, to choose from.

If any "electrician" is confused that this isn't the high leg of a delta or 480 3p I don't want him in my house anyway.

[Paul W. Abernathy]

lol....greg the missed point is........quite possibly electricians will not be the only one IN the panel......Also it is done in some local situations that orange itself is not used because it is an identifier of 277 V and high legs as explained in the NEC.

Personally.....I don't really care to see orange, Yellow, Violet and so on in a residential electrical panel.....maybe it is just me.....but seems my local AHJ also agree's....

P.S.....lets remember...i did not say it was a violation..said I did not like it....lol...BIG difference...again who am I...?

[Greg Fretwell]

I would rather look in a big J box and see 5 colors of wire than 5 black ones.
I have a little informal code I use at my house that serves me well. It keeps things sorted out when I look at something a few years later.

[Paul W. Abernathy]

lol......does the mind wander in only a few years their Greg...lol...Actually when I leave a panel the ledger will explain my tracks rather well so I really don't get caught up in the color factor....

[brian winkle]

Originally Posted by Greg Fretwell

I would rather look in a big J box and see 5 colors of wire than 5 black ones.
I have a little informal code I use at my house that serves me well. It keeps things sorted out when I look at something a few years later.

I too, use colors like blue, brown and purple for 240V circuits of #12 and smaller (in pipe). I use black for 120V circuits with dedicated neutrals. Then in shared neutral situations I use black/red 1 each for each neutral. Then in my panel I designate one leg for black and one for red, to assure the multis are on opposite legs.

Greg, do you do the same with the multiwires in your informal code?

[Greg Fretwell]

A agree red/black is good for multiwire circuits since most will be in a cable anyway.

[Paul W. Abernathy]

perfectly fine to have a certain feel in your color plan, the NEC only really GEARS towards colors when dealing with Grounded and Grounding conductors and identification with high legs and so on. As well as color identification with multiple voltages........however in residential construction atleast for the most part i see...i dont see residential in conduit very often....at least i hope not...I don't wire in Illinois...

But when I see orange in a residential panel.....or violet for that case I do a little more diggin....it does not MATTER if the electrician whould know this or not....point is most in a residentail home inspection environment will see plenty of Black, Red and White within the enclosure.....these are residential staple colors for the lack of a better term.

As for multiwire circuits......I have not put one in a house I have wired in years.........just not something I do very often.

[wward]

Those orange wires are designed for 3 phase with a high leg?
BOY Brown Orange Yellow
don't know if it's illegal but could be miss leading.
I would comment on it.

the pic is a little blurry

[wward]

You guys are fast!

[Paul W. Abernathy]

lol...it's what we Do fella...it's what we do....