New York State Master Electrician Practice Exam

How must an insulated grounded conductor of 6AWG or smaller be identified?

1. By a green outer finish

2. With orange stripes

3. By a continuous white or gray finish

4. Using red insulation

The correct answer is: By a continuous white or gray finish

An insulated grounded conductor of 6 AWG or smaller must be identified by a continuous white or gray finish. This standard is established in the National Electrical Code (NEC), which specifies that grounded conductors, often referred to as neutral conductors, must be clearly distinguished for safety and proper identification. The requirement to use continuous white or gray insulation helps prevent confusion and ensures that anyone working with the electrical system can easily identify the grounded conductor among others, thereby reducing the risk of incorrect connections or electrical hazards. The use of other colors such as green for grounding conductors or red for ungrounded conductors serves specific purposes as well, but they do not apply to grounded conductors. Therefore, while different colors may be used for different types of conductors, the requirement specifically for grounded conductors is to use a continuous white or gray finish, ensuring compliance with electrical safety standards.