New York State Master Electrician Practice Exam

What is the identification requirement for an insulated grounded conductor of #6 AWG or smaller?

1. Continuous black outer finish

2. Continuous red outer finish

3. Continuous white or gray outer finish

4. Continuous green outer finish

The correct answer is: Continuous white or gray outer finish

The identification requirement for an insulated grounded conductor of #6 AWG or smaller is that it must have a continuous white or gray outer finish. This standard is established to ensure that the grounded conductor can be easily identified among other conductors within a cable or conduit, which is crucial for safety and compliance with the National Electrical Code (NEC). The use of white or gray makes it clear that this conductor is intended to carry current only during a fault condition, thus reducing the chances of accidental misconnection or misunderstandings during installation and maintenance. There are specific color codes in electrical wiring to prevent confusion regarding the function of each conductor. While other colors such as black, red, and green have designated roles (such as for ungrounded conductors and grounding conductors), the continuous white or gray outer finish is specifically assigned to grounded conductors, aligning with widespread practices in the electrical industry to enhance both safety and clarity.