8.

1 Conductor types
8.1.1 Individual conductors will be one of the types listed in Table
7.

Table 7 - Types of individual conductors

Type

MTW

Trade Name

Moisture-,
Heat-, and OilResistant
Thermoplastic

Maximum
operating
temperature
60C
(140F)

Application

Machine tool wiring in wet

locations.
Machine tool wiring in dry
locations.

90C
(194F)
THHN

HeatResistant
Thermoplastic

90C
(194F)

Dry and damp locations.

THW

Moisture- and
HeatResistant
Thermoplastic

75C
(167F)

Dry and wet locations.

THWN

Moisture- and
HeatResistant
Thermoplastic

75C
(167F)

Dry and wet locations.

8.1.2 Multiconductor flexible cords used will be one of the following types: SO,
STO, STOW, SJO, SJOW, or SJTO.
8.1.3 Special conductors such as RG-/U transmission cable may be used when
required.

8.2 Conductor ampacity

8.1 The continuous currents carried by conductors will not exceed the values
given in Table 8.

Table 8 - Maximum conductor ampacity for copper conductors

with 60C (140F) operating temperature in an ambient
temperature of 30C (86F)
Conductor
size (AWG)

Maximum ampacity of
conductors in a cable or
raceway

Maximum ampacity of
conductors in a control
enclosure

30

0.5

0.5

28

0.8

0.8

26

24

22

20

18

16

10

10

14

15

20

12

20

25

10

30

40

40

60

55

80

70

105

85

120

95

140

110

165

125

195

2/0

145

225

3/0

165

260

4/0

195

300

8.2.2 Motor circuit conductors will have an ampacity not less than 125% of the
full-load current rating of the highest rated motor in the group plus the sum of the
full-load current ratings of all other connected motors and apparatus in the group
that may be in operation at the same time.

8.3 Conductor sizing

Individual conductors will not be smaller than the sizes given in Table 9 for each given
use.

Table 9 - Minimum conductor size for given uses

High voltage (greater than 150 volts) power and motor
conductors.

12
AWG

Low voltage (less than 150 volts) power and motor conductors.

16
AWG

AC control circuit conductors on the machine; in a raceway; or

within control enclosures, junction boxes, or operator stations.

16
AWG

AC electronic programmable I/O conductors on the machine or in

a raceway

16
AWG

AC electronic programmable I/O conductors within control

enclosures, junction boxes, or operator stations.

18
AWG

AC control circuit or electronic programmable I/O conductors in a

jacketed, multiconductor cable assembly.

18
AWG

DC control circuit, electronic programmable I/O, or static control

conductors on the machine or in a raceway.

16
AWG

DC control circuit, electronic programmable I/O, or static control

conductors within control enclosures, junction boxes, or operator
stations.

20
AWG

DC control circuit, electronic programmable I/O, or static control

conductors in a jacketed, multiconductor cable assembly.

30
AWG

8.4 Conductor color coding

8.4.1 Individual (not contained in a jacketed, multiconductor cable) conductors
will be color coded in accordance with Table 10.

Table 10 - Conductor color coding

High voltage (greater than 150 volts) power and motor
conductors

BLACK

Hot 115 VAC power, motor, control circuit, and

programmable controller I/O conductors.

RED

Neutral 115 VAC power, motor, control circuit, and

programmable controller I/O conductors.

WHITE

DC motor conductors.

BROWN

24 VDC power, control circuit, and programmable controller

I/O conductors (positive and common).

BLUE

All control circuits or wiring that may remain energized

when the main disconnecting means is in the off position.

YELLOW

Equipment grounding conductors (noncurrent-carrying)

where insulated or covered.

GREEN

8.4.2 Color coding of conductors in a jacketed, multiconductor cable will depend

on the type and manufacturer of the cable.