- RED = Phase 1 or Line 1, “L1”
- BLACK = Phase 2 or Line 2 “L2”
- BLUE = Phase 3 or Line 3 “L3”
- WHITE or GRAY = Neutral “N”
- GREEN, BARE or GREEN / YELLOW = Ground “PG”
What are the electrical codes for wire colors?
- Black - use for line voltage or "hot" wire
- Red - a second line voltage or "hot" wire
- White - neutral
- Bare - protective ground
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 standard color for electrical wire?
The coloring is as follows:
- Positive - The wire for the positive current is red.
- Negative - The wire for the negative current is black.
- Ground - The ground wire (if present) will be white or grey.
What are the electrical 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.
Does the NEC have a color code?
The NEC does not contain color code requirement for ungrounded conductors, except 110.15 requires the high-leg conductor from a 120/240 4-wire delta-connected system to be identified with the color orange.
What do the colors on wires 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.
Does NEC require wire colors?
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 are the color code standards?
Color Code Chart Per NEMA & ICEA Method 1/K-1Cond. No.Base Color1st Tracer Color19BlueRed20RedGreen21OrangeGreen22BlackWhite56 more rows
What are the colours of 3 phase wires?
For three-phase cables the phase colours are brown, black and grey, instead of red, yellow and blue, respectively, and the neutral colour is now blue instead of black. Again the protective conductor is identified by the colour combination green-and-yellow.
How do I identify electrical wires?
An electrical cable is classified by two numbers separated by a hyphen, such as 14-2. The first number denotes the conductor's gauge; the second denotes the number of conductors inside the cable. For instance, 14-2 has two 14-gauge conductors: a hot and a neutral.
Does red wire go to black?
These wires are typically used for switch wiring as well as the interconnection between smoke detectors hard-wired into the power system. You can link two red wires together, or you can link a red wire to a black wire. Since red wires conduct current, they are considered hot.
When did they start color coding Romex?
Type NM-B cable first began to be manufactured with color-coded jackets in 2001 to aid in identification of the conductor size.
What is the code for a live wire?
redThe colour coding of wires is green for earth red for live and black for neutral.
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 color wire is used for DC power?
The coloring is as follows: Positive - The wire for the positive current is red. Negative - The wire for the negative current is black. Ground - The ground wire (if present) will be white or grey.
What color should a phase 1 volt switch be?
Phase 1 - Phase 1 wiring should be black. Phase 2 - Phase 2 wiring should be red. Phase 3 - Phase 3 wiring should be blue. Neutral - Neutral wiring should be white. Ground - Ground wiring can be green or green with a yellow stripe. In some uncommon situations, one phase will have a higher voltage than the others.
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 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.
What is PPE in construction?
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is paramount to proper safety techniques in manufacturing, construction, or industrial facilities. This PPE guide illustrates PPE symbols and requirements. Make sure all employees are familiar with required PPE in their areas.
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.
Why are warning signs placed around electrical wires?
Placing warning signs anywhere that someone might interact with electrical wires, especially high-voltage wires, is another good idea for improving overall safety. These signs can serve as a good reminder to those in the area that there are dangerous wires present.
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 is used for electrical wiring in India?
According to the old standard, Red is used for live (or line) power conductor, Black for neutral and Green for protective earth or ground . The new color code is introduced recently (although the old convention is pretty much still widely used).
What color wire is used for negative wires?
But generally, Red is used for positive and Black is used for negative wires in case of 2-wire unearthed DC power system. The following table describes the color code for DC power electrical wiring in the US.
What color is used for neutral conductors in Canada?
The color code practice is very similar to that of the US because of the harmonization effect. Only White is used for Neutral conductor and Green and bare conductor is used for protective ground.
What is the NEC color code?
NEC Color Code for US. The United States National Electrical Code (US NEC) has made mandatory color code for neutral power conductors and protective ground conductor. Apart from these mandatory colors, any color can be used for line or hot power conductors. The common color code for three phase in, on or behind the wall electrical wiring is shown ...
What is an electrical wire?
An electrical wire is a single solid or twisted Copper or Aluminum conductor with or without any insulation. Each wire used for electrical wiring is marked with information like wire gauge, ampacity, maximum voltage, and maximum temperature. But a general color code is used to identify different types of conductors which are used in electrical ...
What color is used for a three phase power supply?
In case of a three phase power supply, the combination of Red, Yellow and Blue are used for the active line power conductors, Black color for neutral conductor and Green or Green – Yellow for protective ground. All the above mentioned color code for electrical wiring is to transmit AC current from the mains.
Why is it important to know the color of electrical wire?
Understanding of these electrical wiring color codes is important as the properties of different wire may be different from other and wrongful placement or connections may be hazardous. Some of the standard color codes that are used in electrical wiring are described below.
What is the NEC wiring color code?
The most widely adopted code in the world, the NEC was written with safety in mind. It’s the most complete set of electrical code requirements that govern electrical installations. All houses built since the 1940s (and older homes that have been rewired) all subscribe to this cable color coding.
What is the color code for electrical wiring?
There are two parts to non-metallic electrical cable: the outer sheathing, or jacket, and the inner wires. The colored sheathing covers the inner wires (copper wires). The markings on the outside sheathing indicate the number and gauge of wires inside; the color of the sheathing indicates the purpose.
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 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 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.
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:
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 Electrical Code “CEC” wiring color codes are similar in practice with National Electrical Code “NEC” except 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 posit…
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 Line 2, (L2) 3. BLUE = …
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…