Cable Colour Code 5f2g5k

Cable Colour Code 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

Single Phase

DC

Country / Region

Protective Earth

Code Reference

Phase A

Phase B

Phase C

Neutral

Active

Neutral

European Union

Brown

Black

Purple (1)

Light Blue

Black or Brown

Light Blue

- (2)

- (2)

Green / Yellow (with blue markings at ends) (3)

IEC 60445 (2010) (4)

United States

Black or Brown

Red, Orange (delta) or Violet (wye)

Blue or Yellow

White or Grey

Black (120V), Red (208V) or Blue (240V)

White or Grey

-

-

Green or Green / Yellow

NFPA 70 (NEC) (5)

Australian / New Zealand

Red (6)

White (6)

Dark Blue(6)

Black (6)

Red

Black

Red

Black

Green / Yellow

AS/NZS 3000 (2007)

People's Republic of China

Yellow

Green

Red

Light Blue

-

Light Blue

-

-

Green / Yellow

GB 50303 (2002)

Canada and Japan

Brown

Black

Purple

White or Natural Grey

Black or Brown

Light Blue

- (2)

- (2)

Green or Green / Yellow

IEC 60445 (2010) (4)

Russia

Brown

Black

Purple

Blue

Brown

Blue

Brown

Grey

Green / Yellow

IEC 60445 (2010) (4)

South Africa

Red

White or Yellow

Blue

Black

Red

Black

-

-

Green / Yellow

IEC 60445 (2010) (4)

Positive Negative

Notes (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.

Colors of rigid and flexible cable cores according to HD 324 S2 standard

Old fixed cables colors in european countries (CENELEC - feb. 1996)