IEC (most of Europe) AC power circuit wiring color codes
| Function | label | Color, IEC | Color, old IEC |
| Protective earth | PE | green-yellow | green-yellow |
| Neutral | N | blue | blue |
| Line, single phase | L | brown | brown or black |
| Line, 3-phase | L1 | brown | brown or black |
Full Answer
What are electrical wire color codes and what they indicates?
UK Old Wiring Color Codes
- RED = Phase , Hot or Line, (L)
- BLACK = Neutral (N)
- GREEN / YELLOW = Earth Conductor “Protective earth” (PE)
What are the correct electrical wiring colors?
Electrical wiring color coding standard for three phase electrical applications are standardized to aid the identification of individual wire phases. Wiring color codes for AC and DC power distribution circuits have changed on numerous occasions and vary depending on region. For three phase electricity supply, circuits will use five wires ...
What is the color code for electricity?
US, AC: The US National Electrical Code only mandates white (or grey) for the neutral power conductor and bare copper, green, or green with yellow stripe for the protective ground. In principle any other colors except these may be used for the power conductors. The colors adopted as local practice are shown in Table below.
What is the color code for residential electrical wiring?
There are multiple wiring color codes that you can come across. Each one has different functions. First of all, black and red hot wires are quite common. White wires and bare copper wires are also common. You may also see green, gray, yellow and blue wires. You must know which one to use for what purpose!
What are the electrical color codes?
3-Phase Wire Color CodesPhase 1 – Black wire.Phase 2 – Red wire.Phase 3 – Blue wire.Neutral – White wire.Ground – Green, Green with a Yellow Stripe, or Bare Wire.
What is the color code for 3 phase wiring?
Wiring Colors | Electrical Wire Color Coding Standards The USA has their own wiring colors for electrical circuits, black, red, and blue are used for 208 VAC three-phase; brown, orange and yellow are used for 480 VAC.
What is the color code for 240 volts?
For wires that will be 120, 208 or 240 volts, the following wiring color standards are used. Phase 1 wiring should be black. Phase 2 wiring should be red. Phase 3 wiring should be blue.
What is the colour code for Live Wire?
redThe colour coding of wires is green for earth red for live and black for neutral.
What is the color code for 4 phase wiring?
The color code for AC power wiring is similar to the code used in the United States: Phase 1 - Red. Phase 2 - Black. Phase 3 - Blue.
What colour is live and neutral?
Plug wiring coloursWireColourLiveBrownNeutralBlueEarthYellow and Green
What is the color code for 120 volt?
While the NEC does not contain a required color code for voltage marking, the industry standard is 208/120V (A) black, (B) red, (C) blue and grounded/neutral white; 480/277V (A) brown, (B) orange, (C) yellow and grounded/neutral gray.
What color wires are used for 220v?
Red wires are secondary wires in 220-volt systems. They are often used in switch legs and to connect smoke detectors to home systems, particularly to power the triggers that set all the detectors off at once. Red wires can be connected to each other.
What color is 220 electrical wire?
In 220-volt circuits, red wires are the secondary live wires. Like black wires, they can also be used in some types of switch legs. In addition, red wires are used to connect hardwired smoke detectors to the home's power system.
What do different wire colors mean?
Black wires are hot wires that run to the electrical outlet from the switch. Red wires are hot wires common in a 240-volt outlet or when a wall switch controls the outlet. Blue and yellow wires are hot wires for ceiling fans and three- or four-way switches. White or gray electrical wires are neutral wires.
How can you tell if a wire is live or neutral?
0:261:15If you don't get a voltage reading the wire is neutral. If you get a reading the wire is hot you canMoreIf you don't get a voltage reading the wire is neutral. If you get a reading the wire is hot you can also use color coding to identify.
What colour is switched live?
blue wireThe brown wire is Live (also know as permanent live), this brings the live supply to the switch. The blue wire is known as the Switched Live and takes power to the light.
Types of Wire Color Codes
There are quite a few different wire color code standards in place, so it is important to understand which one to follow in which situation. The st...
Labeling Electrical Wires & Conduits
The wire color codes used are only going to apply to the actual wires that are carrying the electricity. In many cases, a bundle of these colored w...
Effective Training Options
Those who work directly with electrical wiring on a daily basis will need to be initially trained on what each of the wiring color codes means. Onc...
Applying Color Standards to Existing Wiring
If there are wires in a facility that were put in place prior to the standards that are now used, it is important to take steps to address this saf...
What is the IEC DC wiring color code?
The following IEC DC wiring color codes are used for Two-Wire Grounded, Two-Wire ungrounded and Three Wire grounded DC power systems.
Which countries use the IEC color code for DC?
Other Countries like China, Russia, KSA and UAE now follow the IEC Cable color codes for DC. But don’t trust the cable insulation colors in these areas as electricians use old as well as new color codes for both AC and DC.
What color wires are used for a PG?
The mandatory colors for power wiring in National Electric Codes (NEC) are Green, Bare or Green/Yellow (Yellow Strip or band on Green) for Protective Ground “PG” and White (alternatively Grey) for Neutral Wire. Any other colors expected the above mentioned can be used for Live (Line or Hot) wires.
Does Russia use gray or purple?
Russia was following the same wiring color codes as China before but they adapted the IEC with little bit changes i.e. in a three phase system, they may use purple or gray color instead of gray in IEC. As things are little bit changed in Russia, so one must follow the tester before going in the mess.
What color wires are used in a conduit?
Blue and Yellow Electrical Wires. While wires in these colors carry power, they are not used in typical outlet wiring. Instead, blue and yellow wires are used as the live wires pulled through a conduit.
What is red wire?
Red Electrical Wires. In 220-volt circuits, red wires are the secondary live wires. Like black wires, they can also be used in some types of switch legs. In addition, red wires are used to connect hardwired smoke detectors to the home’s power system.
What is black wire?
Black Electrical Wires. This color of wire is used to transfer power to switches and outlets in all types of circuits. Also, black wires are often used as switch legs in circuits, which is the connection linking a switch to the electrical load. Consider all black wires to be live at all times.
How do green wires work?
They connect to the grounding terminal in an outlet box and run to the ground bus bar in an electrical panel. In this way, green wires act as a failsafe, giving electricity a place to escape into the ground if a live wire within the circuit touches metal or something else conductive.
Do all wires carry current?
Just remember, all electric al wires could carry a current at some point, so treat every color wire with equal caution. If you have any hesitations at all, leave electrical work to a qualified professional.
Can white wires be connected to gray wires?
White and gray electrical wires can only be connected to one another. While they’re called “neutral” wires, they may still carry a current, especially if the current load in the circuit is unbalanced, so handle these wires cautiously.
What color is the NEC standard?
NEC mandates the color codes for neutral and protective ground as grey and yellow-green respectively. NEC does not instruct any requirements for other conductors.
What color wires are used for three phase?
Even there are different color codes for AC and DC wires. For example, in Canada, you can find Red, black and blue wires for three-phase, whereas, in Australia, it is Yellow, blue and black.
What colors are used for a three phase supply?
For a three-phase supply – Red, white and blue colours are used. For a single-phase supply – Red or brown is used for line and black or sky blue is used for neutral. For Earth or protective conductor – Green/Yellow or Green or bare copper conductor can be used.
What is the IEC 60446?
The international standard, IEC 60446 (International Electro-technical Commission, an organization that prepares and publishes electrical and electronics technologies) defines the color codes as below:
A brief history of wiring color codes
It took until 1928 for wire color coding to make its debut. The National Electrical Code® (NEC) was the first to reference it, and today continues to set the standards for the electrical industry. Following a uniform color code makes it easier to assess electrical wiring, and ensure safety among licensed professionals and homeowners alike.
The NEC wire color coding standards
Though there are international wire color codes, the U.S. follows the National Electrical Code ® (NEC). The code is identified as NFPA 70 ® because the NEC is sponsored by the National Fire Protection Association. Though not a federal law (states can choose to adopt it), it is approved by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).
3-Phase Wire Color Codes
Whether adding a home appliance or industrial machinery, you’ll need to know these electrical wiring color codes. In the U.S., these color-coded wires carry power from a circuit breaker to a device.
How Brady can help
Just like no two electrical projects are the same, you’ll find Brady support comes in different shapes and sizes. We offer industrial label printers, cable labels, wire markers, heat shrink sleeves, electrical safety signs and software — effective and easy ways to communicate vital information, and stay safe.
What is the color code for AC wires?
This standard was originally published as IEC 60446, but was merged into IEC 60445 in 2010.
What does it mean when a cable marker is blue?
For example, if a cable marker is blue, that might indicate that it’s part of a specific subgroup of the local network. Printed text on the label, though, could identify which specific workstation uses that cable, which port on the server it should be connected to, as well as when the cable was installed.
What is the ANSI 606-A standard?
The ANSI/TIA/EIA 606-A standard includes recommendations for marking telecommunications wires. This standard provides a consistent approach that can be applied to many different kinds of connections over time.
Do you need to print wiring labels?
With information wiring, printed labels can be a necessity. Wire markers should be visible during installation and normal maintenance of the wiring systems. When those labels use printed text, they should use high-contrast and durable print.
Do older electrical systems have different color codes?
It depends on your location, installation type, voltage, and other factors. Note that older installations may use different color codes. In workplaces, it’s a good idea to document the color code that is being followed. This way, work will be safer, and future maintenance will be easier.
Is the color of wire the same?
There are many wire identification standards, and many of them rely on color codes. Not all electrical wiring color codes are the same, though, and some even contradict each other.
What color wires are used in UK AC circuits?
US, AC: The US National Electrical Code only mandates white (or grey) for the neutral power conductor and bare copper, green, or green with yellow stripe for the protective ground. In principle any other colors except these may be used for the power conductors.
What color is the neutral power conductor?
US, AC: The US National Electrical Code only mandates white (or grey) for the neutral power conductor and bare copper, green, or green with yellow stripe for the protective ground. In principle any other colors except these may be used for the power conductors.
What color wire should I use for a hot wire?
However, common practice (per local electrical inspectors) is for the first hot (live or active) wire to be black and the second hot to be red. The recommendations in Table below are by Wiles. He makes no recommendation for ungrounded power system colors.
What color conductors are used for 208 VAC?
Black, red, and blue are used for 208 VAC three-phase; brown, orange and yellow are used for 480 VAC. Conductors larger than #6 AWG are only available in black and are color taped at the ends.
What color is the ground for DC power?
US DC power: The US National Electrical Code (for both AC and DC) mandates that the grounded neutral conductor of a power system be white or grey. The protective ground must be bare, green or green-yellow striped. Hot (active) wires may be any other colors except these.
What color is the protective ground?
The protective ground is green or green with yellow stripe. The neutral is white, the hot (live or active) single phase wires are black , and red in the case of a second active. Three-phase lines are red, black, and blue.
Nec Wiring Color Codes For AC – Us & Canada
IEC Wiring Color Codes For AC – UK , EU & Other Countries
- As mentioned above, most of the Europe Union countries and UK, China, Russia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Israel, Turkey, Argentina, South Africa, KSA (Saudi Arabia), UAE (United Arab Emirate) and Malaysia are following the IEC “International Electrotechnical Commission” wiring codes. Keep in mind that some of the above mentioned co…
China & Russia Wiring Color Codes
- China PRC & Russia (Old) Wiring Color Codes
Single Phase AC 1. YELLOW = Phase , Hot or Line, (L) 2. SKY BLUE or BLACK = Neutral (N) 3. GREEN / YELLOW = Earth Conductor “Protective earth” (PE) China Three Phase AC 1. YELLOW = Phase 1 or Line, (L1) 2. GREEN = Phase 2 or Line 2, (L2) 3. RED = Phase 3 or Line 3, (L3) 4. LIGH… - Russia New Wiring Color Codes
Russia was following the same wiring color codes as China before but they adapted the IEC with little bit changes i.e. in a three phase system, they may use purple or gray color instead of gray in IEC. As things are little bit changed in Russia, so one must follow the tester before going in the …
Australia & New Zealand Wiring Color Codes
- Both Aussies and Kiwis are using the same wiring color codes for single phase and three phase power circuits. Single Phase AC 1. RED or BROWN = Phase , Hot or Line, (L) 2. BLACK or SKY BLUE = Neutral (N) 3. GREEN or GREEN / YELLOW = Earth Conductor “Protective earth” (PE) Three Phase AC 1. RED or BROWN = Phase 1 or Line, (L1) 2. WHITE = Phase 2 or ...
Japan Wiring Color Codes
- As the name suggests, Japan always does weird things. The single phase supply is 100V (Line to Neutral) and Three Phase supply is 200V (3 Lines, No Neutral). For wow reaction, Check the common neutral and 3rd Phase colors. They are the same i.e. white (Read the following note after the three phase codes for explanation). Single Phase AC 1. BLACK or RED = Phase , Hot or Line, …
India, Pakistan, UAE, KSA & South Africa Wiring Color Codes
- India and Pakistan including the other subcontinent countries as well as UAE (United Arab Emirate), KSA (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) and South Africa AKA “Proteas” (They adapted the IEC now) follow the old UK wiring color codes i.e RYB (Red, Yellow and Blue for Three phase) and Red & Black for Phase and Neutral respectively. Single Phase 230V AC 1. RED = Phase , Hot or Line, (…
Israel Wiring Color Codes
- Some countries adapted the IEC wring codes with little bit modifications. Israel follow the IEC codes with while the local practice wiring are as follow Single Phase 230V AC 1. BROWN = Phase , Hot or Line, (L) 2. BLUE = Neutral (N) 3. YELLOW / GREEN = Earth Conductor “Protective earth” (PE) Three Phase 415+ AC 1. BROWN (Or L1 Marking Sleeve) = Phase 1 or Line, (L1) 2. BROWN (…
Indonesia Wiring Color Codes
- Single Phase AC Supply 1. RED or BLACK = Phase , Hot or Line, (L) 2. BLUE = Neutral (N) 3. YELLOW / GREEN = Earth Conductor “Protective earth” (PE) Three Phase AC Supply 1. RED = Phase 1 or Line, (L1 or R) 2. YELLOW = Phase 2 or Line 2, (L2 or S) 3. BLACK = Phase 3 or Line 3, (L3 or T) 4. BLUE = Common Neutral (N) 5. YELLOW / GREEN = Earth Conductor “Protective Eart…
Nec Wiring Color Codes For DC – Us & Canada
- There are some differences between AC and DC, so wire color codes for DC are a little bit different than that of AC wire color codes in both NEC and IEC. These DC color codes applied on solar power, batteries& vehicles and other DC powered equipment like computer data centers wiring installation etc. Same as for AC, the mandatory colors for Grounded Neutral is White or Gray , Th…
IEC Wiring Color Codes For DC – UK & EU
- The IEC DC wiring color codes are adapted from IEC AC wiring color codes. These rules are applicable in the UK, EU and all other countries who follow the new IEC color codes instead of local and regional codes. The following IEC DC wiring color codes are used for Two-Wire Grounded, Two-Wire ungrounded and Three Wire grounded DC power systems. Two Wire Ungro…