200.9 Means of Identification of Terminals.

In devices or utilization equipment with polarized connections, identification of terminals to which a grounded conductor is to be connected shall be substantially white or silver in color.
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In devices or utilization equipment with polarized connections, identification of terminals to which a grounded conductor is to be connected shall be substantially white or silver in color.

Code Change Summary: Revised code language pertaining to the color of a neutral termination.

In the 2020 NEC®, the color of a neutral terminal is finally permitted to be silver!

For many code cycles, a neutral terminal was required to be white in color which is quite rare to find. As well, the rule will now only apply to devices or equipment with polarized connections rather than to ALL neutral terminations which can include grounded neutral terminals inside panelboards, switchboards, transformers or hard-wired appliances.

Below is a preview of the NEC®. See the actual NEC® text at NFPA.ORG for the complete code section. Once there, click on their link to free access to the 2020 NEC® edition of NFPA 70.

2017 Code Language:

200.9 Means of Identification of Terminals. The identification of terminals to which a grounded conductor is to be connected shall be substantially white in color. The identification of other terminals shall be of a readily distinguishable different color.

2020 Code Language:

200.9 Means of Identification of Terminals. In devices or utilization equipment with polarized connections, identification of terminals to which a grounded conductor is to be connected shall be substantially white or silver in color. The identification of other terminals shall be of a readily distinguishable different color.

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200.9 Means of Identification of Terminals.

Below is a Real Question from our Electrical Continuing Education Courses for Electrical License Renewal:

Based on the 2020 NEC, which of the following is true?

A: All neutral terminals must be white.
B: All neutral terminals must be silver.
C: Neutral terminals with polarized connections can be white or silver.
D: Neutral conductors must be silver.
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