The common color code for three phase in, on or behind the wall electrical wiring is shown below. In three phase power supply, the combination of Black, Red and Blue wires for power conductors are used for 120/240V AC whereas the combination of Brown, Orange and Yellow wires for power conductors are used for 277/480 V AC.
What are the different color codes for electrical wiring?
Electrical Wiring Color Coding System 1 Electrical Cable and Wire Color Markings. ... 2 Black Wires: Hot. ... 3 Red Wires: Hot. ... 4 White Wires With Black or Red Tape: Hot. ... 5 Bare Copper Wires: Ground. ... 6 Green Wires: Ground. ... 7 White or Gray Wires: Neutral. ... 8 Blue and Yellow Wires. ...
What is the international standard for wire color coding?
Most European countries follow a wire color code established by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) for AC branch circuits. This standard was originally published as IEC 60446, but was merged into IEC 60445 in 2010. In Canada, wire color coding standards are set by the Canadian Electric Code (CEC).
Why is it important to know the color codes of wires?
This way, work will be safer, and future maintenance will be easier. In the United States, the following color codes are typically used for power wires in “branch circuits,” the wiring between the last protective device (such as a circuit breaker) and the load (such as a tool or appliance). These systems are common in home and office environments.
What do the color markings on electrical cable mean?
Electrical Cable and Wire Color Markings. Non-metallic (or NM) 120 V and 240 V electrical cable comes in two main parts: the outer plastic sheathing (or jacket) and the inner, color-coded wires. The sheathing binds the inner wires together, and its outer markings indicate the number of wires and size of wire (gauge) within the sheathing.
What is the color code for electrical wiring?
US AC power circuit wiring color codes 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 live wire in Philippines?
BrownBrown = Live As previously mentioned, the brown wire has the function of carrying electricity to the appliance. There will be a risk of electrocution if the brown wire is live and not connected to the earth or neutral wires.
What do the colors mean on wires?
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 a proper color code of wires and cables?
They are as follows: Red – Red cables carry the positive current. Black – Black cables will be the negative cable. Grey or White – Grey or white cables are the ground wires.
What is the color code for 3 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 is the code for a live wire?
redThe colour coding of wires is green for earth red for live and black for neutral.
What are the color code standards?
Color Code Chart Per NEMA & ICEA Method 1/K-1Cond. No.Base Color1st Tracer Color19BlueRed20RedGreen21OrangeGreen22BlackWhite56 more rows
What colors are neutral wires?
The 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.
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.
What Colour is live and neutral?
Black (neutral) Red (live) Green and yellow (earth)
What color is common wire?
Blue wires are also called “C” wires because they are the Common wire.
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 wires are used for neutral conductors?
The National Electrical Code (NEC) says that white or gray must be used for neutral conductors and that bare copper or green wires must be used as ground wires. Beyond that are general, industry-accepted rules about wire color that indicate their purpose. The Spruce / Catherine Song.
What does it mean when a white wire is augmented with a red or black color?
When a white wire is augmented with a red or black color marking, this often indicates that it is being used as a hot wire rather than a neutral wire. Typically, this is indicated with a band of black or red electrical tape (but other colors may be used) wrapped around the wire's insulation.
What is bare copper wire?
Bare Copper Wires: Ground. Bare copper wires are the most common type of wire used for grounding. All electrical devices must be grounded. In the event of a fault, grounding provides a safe pathway for electricity to travel. The current passes back to the ground or earth.
What is the white wire used for?
For instance, a white wire in a two-wire cable may be used for the second hot wire on a 240-volt appliance or outlet circuit. This white wire should be looped several times around with black electrical tape to show that it is being used for something other than a neutral. The Spruce / Margot Cavin.
What is green wire?
Green Wires: Ground. Green insulated wires are sometimes used for grounding. Ground screws on electrical devices are often painted green, too. Never use a green wire for any purpose other than for grounding.
What does it mean when a wire is white?
White or gray indicates a neutral wire. When examining a white or gray wire, make certain that it has not been wrapped in electrical tape. This would indicate a hot wire. Older wires sometimes may lose their electrical tape wrapping.
What is a non-metallic cable?
Non-metallic (or NM) 120-volt and 240-volt electrical cable come in two main parts: the outer plastic sheathing (or jacket) and the inner, color-coded wires. The sheathing binds the inner wires together, and its outer markings indicate the number of wires and size of wire ( gauge) within the sheathing. The color of the sheathing indicates recommended usages. For example, white sheathing means that the inner wires are 14-gauge and yellow sheathing indicates that they are 12-gauge.
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.
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 color is the neutral wire?
You must ensure that there is no power source connected with the live wire before working on the wiring. The neutral wire colour is blue.
What is the green and yellow wire?
The green and yellow wire is also referred to as the earth wire and has a key safety function. Electricity being transferred around any property will always take the path of least resistance to the earth.
What is the difference between a blue and brown wire?
The brown wire, otherwise known as the live wire, transfers electricity to the appliance. The combination of these wires is referred to as a circuit. You should be aware that some properties have old-style wiring, which should be regularly checked by an electrician to ensure that it remains in good working order. The need for replacement will be entirely dependent on the safety of the wiring.
What does brown wire mean?
It is important that you don’t make the mistake of confusing the natural blue and green/yellow earth connection when referring to the electrical system. Brown = Live. As previously mentioned, the brown wire has the function of carrying electricity to the appliance.
What is the combination of wires called?
The combination of these wires is referred to as a circuit. You should be aware that some properties have old-style wiring, which should be regularly checked by an electrician to ensure that it remains in good working order. The need for replacement will be entirely dependent on the safety of the wiring.
Where is the neutral wire located?
The neutral wire transfers electricity away from the appliance to avoid overloading. It is located at the end of the circuit for connection after the electricity has flowed around the live and earth wires. It is highly unlikely that you will have an electric shock on contact with a blue wire.
How many wires are in a three phase system?
Either three or four wires will be connected to an electrical service panel functioning via the three-phase system. This will feature three live wires of either a black, brown or grey colour and a separate blue wire. There will typically be a 400V separation between the two live wires.
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.