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MP4VT2004
Joined: 09/09/2007
Posts: 24,522
Likes: 26,027

In a perfect world, absolutely. My suggestion was based on the fact that...

...Lowe's does not seem to carry red and white THHN wire. I do see now that they have blue wire. But the electrical tape trick will work. It's something I've seen actual electricians do on my jobsites, usually to keep track of phasing in a 3-phase panel...they try to evenly balance the load in the panel across the three phases, so I've seen them wrap the ends of black B-phase and C-phase hot conductors with electrical tape inside the panel so they can keep things straight. The image below provides the color standards, and the link provides more information: ** Edited by MP4VT2004 at 1/22/2026, 8:27:08 AM
Posted: 01/22/2026 at 08:26 AM ET
(In response to this post by PWR2LZ)

Thread Replies (20)

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Electricians, please explain #4 gauge wire to me like I'm a big dumb idiot.
Hurley09 01/21/26 09:15 AM ET
Make sure you get it all on video**
Brown Water 01/21/26 11:34 AM ET
as a kid he always dreamed of being a conductor **
bigbadbird 01/21/26 02:23 PM ET
He was a lightning rod for attention.**
Spud 01/21/26 02:42 PM ET
120 will shock you, 240 will kill you. Hire an electrician.**
Galenahokie 01/21/26 11:21 AM ET
^^^ THIS !! ^^^**
PhotoHokieNC 01/21/26 01:36 PM ET
220, 221, Whatever it takes.**
Tank 01/21/26 10:55 AM ET
Recommend checking out McMaster-Car
EDGEMAN 01/21/26 09:58 AM ET
Yeah, 4ga romex is probably something you'll need to get from an electrical
Tafkam Hokie 01/21/26 11:48 AM ET
Not an electrician, but dumb enough to do this kind of stuff myself...
MP4VT2004 01/21/26 09:57 AM ET
Late to your post, but I'm thinking he needs one red and one black for the
PWR2LZ 01/21/26 10:33 PM ET
In a perfect world, absolutely. My suggestion was based on the fact that...
MP4VT2004 01/22/26 08:26 AM ET
Cool, thx for the link! I need to buy some of that tape. I have an account
PWR2LZ 01/22/26 10:18 PM ET
Also, according to this conduit fill table, you will need a 1" flex conduit**
MP4VT2004 01/21/26 10:02 AM ET
How about a 4" conduit, to allow for expansion?
EDGEMAN 01/21/26 10:06 AM ET
4" would be excessive, ha. I agree in principle, but...
MP4VT2004 01/21/26 10:16 AM ET
Would have suggested 5" conduit, but it wasn't listed...lol**
EDGEMAN 01/21/26 10:27 AM ET
i would say acquiring the right wire being the big hurdle might indicate
bigbadbird 01/21/26 09:52 AM ET
The lower the number the bigger the diameter of the wire. 0.204307 in.
jdkhokie 01/21/26 09:47 AM ET
Both self deprecating but with a good DIY ability and attitude. I'm rooting
BG Hokie 01/21/26 09:34 AM ET
Hurley was fun until he crossed the wires. Pooooor Hurley...**
Beerman 01/21/26 09:37 AM ET