The referenced NFPA 70 section 400-22c seems to apply only to appliances with jacketed cords. What about industrial equipment?
Mike Sherman FSI International In a message dated 4/19/1999 1:32:11 PM Central Daylight Time, [email protected] writes: << About twenty years ago, the a group in the cable and computer industries gathered together all the colors used worldwide for conductor identification and tried to come up with a worldwide compromise. The light blue(neutral), brown (phase), and green/yellow (earth) were the best choice to avoid miswiring somewhere in the world. The US NEC was changed specifically to clarify this compromise (ref. NFPA 70 clause 400-22c), taking light blue as close to white or gray. You can probably get away with sending the US customary colors (white, black, green) to some countries, but you will have to specifically check codes in each case. Don't think an answer from one European country will answer for all of Europe. Note: NFPA is a US originated organization working to promote itself internationally, but does not apply to Europe except in some specific cases of harmonization. The absence of a European Norm does not mean no laws apply. National or local laws would be applicable. Since we have a well researched solution, why fight it? Misunderstandings when it comes to wiring power cords can be lethal, a terrible price to pay for getting away with something less. Bob Johnson "Crane, Lauren" wrote: > > Is it acceptable to ship equipment to Europe with neutral conductors (hook > > up wire) that is white, particularly if the ends are marked with the > > letter 'N' ? > > > > It seems to me that this would be acceptable to both the Machinery > > Directive and the Low Voltage Directive. Neither of these directives have > > a requirement for wire color in their Essential Requirements. > > > > Marking neutrals in this manner conforms to NFPA-79, an appropriate, > > though US National, design standard for large semiconductor manufacturing > > equipment. > > > > Conforming to NFPA-79, I think, demonstrates adequately addressing > > electrical hazards to the extent of the concern of the Machinery Directive > > and Low Voltage Directive > > > > EN 60204 requires that neutrals be colored light blue ONLY IF COLOR IS > > USED TO IDENTIFY THEM. Quoting section 15.2.3 "Where a circuit includes a > > neutral conductor identified by colour, the colour shall be light > > blue...". > > > > Note that the definitions section of EN 60204 (3.38) says that the neutral > > conductor is assigned the symbol 'N'. > > > > This is echoed in EN60439 "Specification for Low voltage switch gear and > > control gear assemblies Part 1. Specification for type-tested and > > partially type-tested assemblies." section 7.6.5.2 which says in part "Any > > neutral conductor of the main circuit should be readily distinguishable by > > shape, location, marking or colour..." > > > > I would be interested to know if anyone has experiences with this issue. > > > > Thanks in advance..... > > > > Lauren Crane > > Eaton Corporation > > > > [email protected] >> --------- This message is coming from the emc-pstc discussion list. To cancel your subscription, send mail to [email protected] with the single line: "unsubscribe emc-pstc" (without the quotes). For help, send mail to [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], or [email protected] (the list administrators).
