Receiving Helpdesk

industrial wire color code chart

by Courtney Flatley Published 3 years ago Updated 3 years ago

What are the wire 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.

Which wire is best for industrial use?

The copper and aluminium are the best choices for making wire and cable due to there good electrical properties. Copper wire conductor has excellent current conductivity, ductility and has high tensile strength, due to copper is used in electrical wiring.

What are the 3 colored wires called?

They are often color-coded, yellow for composite video, red for the right audio channel, and white or black for the left channel of stereo audio. This trio (or pair) of jacks can often be found on the back of audio and video equipment.

What do 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.

What is industrial cable?

Industrial cables cover a broad range of applications within the automation and manufacturing industries. Commonly labelled as European control cables, this range encompasses both LSZH and PVC insulated and sheathed cables.

Which type of wiring is suitable for industrial installation and why?

Multi-Core Flexible Cable: This type of cable is commonly used in industrial applications and few residential applications. Multi-core cable (MCC) is usually made with highly flexible copper conductors and specially formulated flexible FR PVC insulation and PVC sheathing that impart superior flexibility to the cable.

What Colour is live and neutral?

Plug wiring coloursWireColourLiveBrownNeutralBlueEarthYellow and Green

What color wires go to L1 L2 L3?

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....International Wiring Color Codes.Ground (G)GreenNeutral (N)BlackLine 1 (L1)RedLine 2 (L2)YellowLine 3 (L3)Blue5 more columns

What color is neutral wire?

white wireThe white wire is the "neutral" wire, it takes any unused electricity and current and sends it back to the breaker panel. The green wire (or it can sometimes be uncolored) wire is the "ground" wire, it will take electricity back to the breaker panel, then outside to a rod that's buried in the ground.

What is the color code for 3 phase wiring?

High-Voltage Wire Color Code Phase 1 wiring should be brown. Phase 2 wiring should be orange. Phase 3 wiring should be yellow. Neutral wires should be grey.

What does a black wire mean?

Black: Black wires are neutral wires and the wire is connected to a neutral bus bar inside the electrical panel. The bus bar is a conductive piece of metal used for the purpose of distribution. The black wire can be connected to another black wire, and as it is neutral, it does carry a charge.

What does coloring a wire blue mean?

travelersThese two colors are hot wires usually pulled in conduit for common plug-in electrical devices. Blue wires are used as travelers, usually on three- or four-way switches (controlling a light from multiple locations) or as switch legs for things such as fans or lights.

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...

How to wire a DC power supply?

When wiring for DC power, there are typically going to be either two or three wires. The coloring is as follows: 1 Positive - The wire for the positive current is red. 2 Negative - The wire for the negative current is black. 3 Ground - The ground wire (if present) will be white or grey.

Why is electricity important?

Electricity is an essential component for virtually every step in manufacturing and most other industries. In most facilities, the electricity will come in at one point in the building, and then be distributed to just about every corner through a series of wires. Even the tools and machines that are used are filled with wires ...

What happens if you don't wire properly?

If something is not wired properly, it can result in injuries, deaths, fires, and many other problems. This is why there are well-established wire color codes to ensure those working with an around this type of equipment can ensure everything is wired safely and effectively.

Is it safe to use electrical wires?

Another important thing to keep in mind when looking at the safety of electrical wires is the data wiring in a facility. Cables that are used to transmit data for computer systems are often thought to be harmless since they are carrying information rather than electricity.

Why is it important to label wires?

When this is the case, it is important to take the time to properly label the wires and electrical conduits to warn people of potential dangers.

What color is phase 1?

Due to the serious potential for deadly electrocution or other issues, getting these color codes right is essential. Phase 1 - Phase 1 wiring should be brown . Phase 2 - Phase 2 wiring should be orange.

Do you have to be trained to use electrical wiring?

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 . Once they are performing their job regularly though, it will become like second nature to them.

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.

Resources

Need to see a sample of our wire and cable marking labels? Request a free sample pack here.

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 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.

What color conductors are used in a circuit?

The NEC specifies that conductor colored white be used only as grounded conductors and that conductors colored green or green/yellow be used only as grounding conductors and that neither white nor green be used in any manner on ungrounded conductors. Tables 2 provide color sequences that do not include white or green conductors. If grounded or grounding conductors, or both, are used in the cable, they shall be colored white or green respectively, and inserted as the second or third, or both, designated conductor in the first sequence of circuit identification only. Where these conductors are required, they shall be specified.

What color are grounding conductors?

If grounded or grounding conductors, or both, are used in the cable, they shall be colored white or green respectively, and inserted as the second or third, or both, designated conductor in the first sequence of circuit identification only. Where these conductors are required, they shall be specified.

Nec Wiring Color Codes For AC – Us & Canada

  • US – NEC AC (Single & Multi-Phase) Wiring Color Codes
    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 (Lin…
  • Canada – CEC AC (Single & Three-Phase) Wiring Color Codes
    Canadian Electric Code “CEC” wiring color codes are similar in practice with National Electric Code “NEC” expect that White color is used for Neutral Wire and Green or bare conductor is used for protective ground. In some cases, the 1st and 2nd phase (lines) colors are in an inverse position …
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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…
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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 …
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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 orBROWN = Phase 1 or Line, (L1) 2. WHITE = Phase 2 or Line 2, (L2) 3. BLUE = …
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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, (…
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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 (Kingdome 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, (…
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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 (ORA…
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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 Earth” (PE)
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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…
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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…
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