Cable colour coding conventions vary on different continents and individual countries. Plus, over time the colours associated with wiring have changed in many areas. Below is summary of the latest colour coding conventions for the main geographic areas that Batt customers operate in:
UK Wiring Colours
Single-phase connection (Consists of two wires, plus earth)
BROWN = Live (x1)
The live wire transfers electricity to an appliance
BLUE = Neutral (x1)
Transfers electricity away from an appliance
GREEN & YELLOW = Earth (Ground)
Prevents damage to live or neutral wires causing electrocution by earthing appliances.
Three-phase connection (Consists of three or four wires, plus earth)
BROWN, BLACK & GREY = Live wires
The live wire transfers electricity to an appliance
BLUE = Neutral (x1)
Transfers electricity away from an appliance
GREEN & YELLOW = Earth (Ground)
Prevents damage to live or neutral wires causing electrocution by earthing appliances.
For more details, please consult the current UK electrical wiring standards – BS7671, 18th Edition.
Europe and UK – Wiring Colour Harmonisation
Single-phase and three-phase connection colour standards were harmonised with Europe from March 2006 onwards, so that UK standards are now more in-line with mainland Europe.
USA
USA Wiring Colours
Standard 120/208/240 Volt AC wiring colours are shown below:
Phase 1 – BLACK
Phase 2 – RED
Phase 3 – BLUE
Phase 4 – WHITE
Ground (Earth) – Bare Wire, GREEN, GREEN & YELLOW
Standard 277/480 Volt AC wiring colours are shown below:
Phase 1 – BROWN
Phase 2 – ORANGE
Phase 3 – YELLOW
Neutral – GREY
Ground (Earth) – Bare Wire, GREEN, GREEN & YELLOW
Standard DC cable colours:
Positive (Non-ground) – RED
Positive (Non-ground) – BLACK
Ground (Earth) – WHITE or GREY
For more details, please consult the US National Electrical Code (NEC).
