A few years back, Supply Houses would keep spools of wire in stock, with Insulation colors beyond the "typical" Black, occasional White & Green - in sizes >#6 (even saw 500 MCM in more than just basic Black!)
Colors were:
Black (of course!), Red, Blue, White, Green,
Green w/ Yellow Stripes,
Brown, Orange, Yellow, Gray.
That "Fad" lasted at most 1.5 Years, and now things are back to "Normal" (specific colors are special order).
Afterwards, there were a few occasions where I had some difficulty obtaining #8 White, #6 White and #6 Green!
I do admit it's very nice to have the Conductors already color coded! Not too easy making a mistake when tagging the ends of Feeders pre-pull when no tagging is needed.
If the wire was available within a few days - and without any order related extra costs, it would be more desirable to go that route.
Since witnessing a Neutrino react with a certain liquid is likely to occur sooner than full stock, multiple colored insulation via will-call, I tend to remain with Black Insulation, and tagging the ends with one or two wraps of colored tape.
On the subject of Color Coding, sometimes when viewed under High Pressure Sodium (HPS) Light, Gray Colored Insulation looks anything but Gray!
Might be Brown?, Blue?, Yellow?, even Green?!
Seen different Colors reflected from Gray Insulation in different environments, when HPS Lamps were involved.
Anyone else observe this scenario?
Scott35
