[donf]

Curious,

Currently, we are living in a home that was built in the Late 50s or early 60s. The home is wired with copper.

A ceiling fan and light package failed today and I traced the failure to a three way dimmer switch that was outputting approximately 28 VAC. I figured the led circuit was blown so I went out and got two standard three way switches. No dimmer switches!

When I was installing them I found that neither White to the switches had be tagged with black to indicate a current carrying conductor.

Does anyone remember when the marking of white with black tape was first required by the NEC?

[stanfortyman]

New in 2002:

200.7 Use of Insulation of a White or Gray Color or with Three Continuous White Stripes

(C) Circuits of 50 Volts or More The use of insulation that is white or gray or that has three continuous white stripes for other than a grounded conductor for circuits of 50 volts or more shall be permitted only as in (1) through (3).

(2) Where a cable assembly contains an insulated conductor for single-pole, 3-way or 4-way switch loops and the conductor with white or gray insulation or a marking of three continuous white stripes is used for the supply to the switch but not as a return conductor from the switch to the switched outlet. In these applications, the conductor with white or gray insulation or with three continuous white stripes shall be permanently reidentified to indicate its use by painting or other effective means at its terminations and at each location where the conductor is visible and accessible.


Tape is NOT a permanent and compliant means of re-identifying a small conductor.

[donf]

Stan,

It will have to do for now.

So it only became an issue in 2002, thanks. I've been marking with tape since I was a teenager. That's what I was taught to use.

[stanfortyman]

Nothing wrong with tape, other than the sticky mess it makes after a few years. It's just that it is not a code compliant way of re-marking a white in this case.
I have been using a Sharpie marker for many years.