Cable Color
Cable Color
Power cable insulation is normally colour coded so that phase, neutral and earth conductors can be easily identified. These colour codes vary with region and / or country: Three Phase Country / Region Phase A Phase B Phase C Neutra l Single Phase Active Neutra l Positiv e DC Negativ e Protectiv e Earth Green / Yellow (with blue markings at ends) (3) Code Referenc e
European Union
Brown
Black
Purple (1
)
Light Blue
Black or Brown
Light Blue
- (2)
- (2)
United States
Black or Brown
Blue or Yellow
Black (120V) White , Red White or Grey (208V) or Grey or Blue (240V) Black (6
)
Red (6)
Dark Blue(6)
Red
Black
Red
Black
Green / Yellow Green / Yellow Green or Green / Yellow Green / Yellow Green / Yellow
AS/NZS 3000 (2007) GB 50303 (2002) IEC 60445 (2010) (4) IEC 60445 (2010) (4) IEC 60445 (2010) (4)
Yello w
Green
Red
Light Blue
Black
Purple
Black or Brown
Light Blue
- (2)
- (2)
Russia
Brown
Purple
Brown
Blue
Brown
Grey
Red
Blue
Black
Red
Black
(1) In the UK, grey can be also be used (2) No recommendations given (3) In Denmark, Italy and Poland, light blue along the entire length with green / yellow markings at the ends
(4) In 2007, IEC 60446 was merged with IEC 60445 (2010), "Basic and safety principles for man-machine interface, marking and identification Identification of equipment terminals, conductor terminations and conductors". IEC 60446 is no longer used. (5) Since 1975, NFPA 70, "The National Electricity Code (NEC)" has not prescribed colours for active conductors (except for orange for earthed delta). Local regulations take precedence. (6) These are preferred colours. Active conductors can be any colour except for green / yellow, green, yellow, black or light blue
Cable colors
identification colors of cores in cables have been subject to developments that results in the harmonization document HD 308 S2. These rules do not apply to conductors used in the materials and sets assembled at the factory although compliance is strongly recommended. For information, old national habits are reminded in the table below. These cables are still widely present in existing installations.