Electrical cable Wiring Diagram Color code

In Electrical engineering, different wires have different color codes. This makes it easy to differentiate and identify each wire .In diagram the live wire has a different color from the neutral wire and the earth wire. It is also useful for separating the three phases for three phase connections. And most importantly, it is good for safety purpose. The properties of one wire could be different from the properties of another and misplacing connections could be fatal to personnel handling the connections. The color coding convention in Europe is different from that of the United States.

Wire Color Codes In Europe :

In Europe, the standard used is specified by the IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission). The wiring standard was initially published as IEC 60446 but in 2010, it was merged into IEC 60445.

 - For single phase wiring, the new European color code use

•  Brown color for live cable,
•  Blue color for neutral cable 
• Striped green and yellow color for the earth/ground cable.

 - For three phase wires,

• Brown color is used for line 1, 
• Black color is used for line 2 
• Grey color is used for line 3.

 The new European color code takes account of proper phase rotation. The new standard was adop ted to prevent people from confusing the protective earth wire with other electrical wires. It also protects people that have red-green color blindness.  In the old IEC color code, all lines in the three-phase supply were black or brown and that caused so much confusion.

The United Kingdom now use the new IEC color code format. The United Kingdom used its own color code till 2004. In March, 2004, the UK adopted the IEC color code.  

Electrical Cable Wiring in the United States :

There are two color codes available in the United States for different voltages. For 120/208/240 V single phase, the live cable is lack or red, the neutral cable is white colored while the protective earth can be green, bare or striped green and yellow in color.  For three phase 12 0/208/240 V, the first phase is colored black, the second phase is colored red while the third phase is colored blue.

For 277/480 V AC power, the neutral power is colored gray while the earth is colored green, bare and striped green and yellow. The phase 1 is colored brown, phase 2 is colored orange, the phase 3 is colored yellow. The 277/480 V AC systems are usually used for industrial equipment and motors.

Bottom Line

The color code convention for each region should be followed. It will prevent electrical shocks due to wrong identification and inappropriate connections. When you are faced with a tangle of wires and you need to do or repair some wiring, take note of the house electrical color coding wiring of that country.

The United Kingdom and Europe use the same color coding while the United States has its own color coding convention. Indicator lights on panel boxes usually use this sa me color coding convention. It must also be noted that older connections may use different color codes

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