A Guide to Electrical Wiring Colors Coding | Graphic Products
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. Which standard should be used in your facility? 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.
U.S. Electrical Wiring Color Codes
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).
120/208/240 Volt AC Wire Colors
These systems are common in home and office environments.
- Phase 1 — Black
- Phase 2 — Red
- Phase 3 — Blue
- Neutral — White
- Ground — Green, Green with Yellow Stripe, or Bare Wire
If the wiring system has one phase at a higher voltage than the others, using a “high-leg” connection, that phase’s wires should be marked with orange. (This is required in NEC article 110.15.) However, these high-leg delta systems are uncommon with newer installations.
277/480 Volt AC Wire Colors
These higher-voltage systems are common for industrial motors and equipment.
- Phase 1 — Brown
- Phase 2 — Orange
- Phase 3 — Yellow
- Neutral — Gray
- Ground — Green, Green with Yellow Stripe, or Bare Wire
For higher-voltage cases, it becomes even more important to have a documented wire labeling system. More detailed labels can include information like circuit identification, or the appropriate disconnection point for lockout/tagout.
DC Power Wire Colors
Solar power systems and many battery systems use DC (direct current) power, rather than AC (alternating current).
- Positive (non-ground) — Red
- Negative (non-ground) — Black
- Ground — White or Gray
International Electrical Wiring Color Codes
The color codes used for wires can vary.
In some areas, a color code is specified by law; other areas rely on common practice. Different codes are popular in different areas.
European (IEC) Wire Color Codes
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.
- Phase 1 — Brown
- Phase 2 — Black
- Phase 3 — Grey
- Neutral — Blue
- Ground — Green with Yellow Stripe
Canadian Wire Color Codes for AC Power
In Canada, wire color coding standards are set by the Canadian Electric Code (CEC). 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
- Neutral — White
- Ground — Green with Yellow Stripe
Data Wire Color Coding
Wiring used for telecommunications or computer network applications use a different approach for identifying data cables.
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.
While color can rapidly provide some information, the amount of information is limited. 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. 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. Whatever marking system is used for the cables and wires in your facility, the markings should be durable enough to last as long as the wires themselves.
Applying Color Codes to Electrical Wiring
Most narrow wires will be color-coded by the manufacturer, using insulation of different colors. When wires are larger than #6 AWG, they will typically be manufactured with black insulation. In these cases, color coding should be added during installation, using colored bands that wrap around the wire.
Where more detailed information is helpful (or even necessary), the DuraLabel line of label printers offer a simple and reliable way to print long-lasting markers and wire tags. Self-laminating wire wraps and heat-shrink tubes are available to create clean, professional labels for your project.
Color codes – Dieter Braun GmbH
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| Color | German Code | Code according to IEC 60757 |
|---|---|---|
| Black | SW | BK |
| Brown | BR | BN |
| Red | RT | RD |
| Orange | OR | OG |
| Yellow | GE | YE |
| Green | GN | GN |
| Blue | BL | BU |
| Purple | VI | VT |
| Grey | GR | GY |
| White | WS | WH |
| Pink | RS | PK |
| Turquois | TK | TQ |
| Colorcode | Color | Code |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | White | ws |
| 2 | Brown | br |
| 3 | Green | gn |
| 4 | Yellow | ge |
| 5 | Grey | gr |
| 6 | Pink | rs |
| 7 | Blue | bl |
| 8 | Red | rt |
| 9 | Black | sw |
| 10 | Purple | vi |
| 11 | Grey-pink | gr/rs |
| 12 | Red-blue | rt/bl |
| 13 | White-green | ws/gn |
| 14 | Brown-green | br/gn |
| 15 | White-yellow | ws/ge |
| 16 | Yellow-brown | ge/br |
| 17 | White-grey | ws/gr |
| 18 | Grey-brown | gr/br |
| 19 | White-pink | ws/rs |
| 20 | Pink-brown | rs/br |
| 21 | White-blue | ws/bl |
| 22 | Brown-blue | br/bl |
| 23 | White-red | ws/rt |
| 24 | Brown-red | br/rt |
| 25 | White-black | ws/sw |
| 26 | Brown-black | br/sw |
| 27 | Grey-green | gr/gn |
| 28 | Yellow-grey | ge/gr |
| 29 | Pink-green | rs/gn |
| 30 | Yellow-pink | ge/rs |
| 31 | Green-blue | gr/bl |
| 32 | Yellow-blue | ge/bl |
| 33 | Green-red | gn/rt |
| 34 | Yellow-red | ge/rt |
| 35 | Green-black | gn/sw |
| 36 | Yellow-black | ge/sw |
| 37 | Grey-blue | gr/b |
| 38 | Pink-blue | rs/bl |
| 39 | Grey-red | gr/rt |
| 40 | Pink-red | rs/rt |
| 41 | Grey-black | gr/sw |
| 42 | Pink-black | rs/sw |
| 43 | Blue-black | bl/sw |
| 44 | Red-black | rt/sw |
- Copper price
- AWG wires
- Color codes
- Incoterms
wiring colors in old houses phase, zero, earth
wiring colors in old houses phase, zero, earth
237
negor passer-by 12.
10.09 14:44
12.10.09 14:44
Making an additional outlet. The house is old. Found some wires in the wall. Three come and three also go to the lamp. Black, taupe and red.
— black is a phase (according to the probe), a wire goes from it to the switch, after the switch it is connected to black to the lamp. nine0018 — grey-black. This is zero. connects directly to the same one that goes to the lamp.
— red. I think it’s earth. Both are not involved. Those. red comes — it is not connected to anything, and the red, which goes to the light bulb — also dangles. Light bulbs don’t need earth.
Modern colors are different. The ground there is a yellow-green wire. But my house is old. And you need to make an outlet with the ground. It seems to have found that in old German houses
«Some old house may have L-Black, N-Gray, G-Red»
http://www.toytowngermany.com/lofi/i…hp/t13546.html
But there
housewives discuss.
In English. I can’t find it in German, because I can’t squirt.
Can I find some specifications for the old standards?
How to be more precise that red is ground? How to check? Maybe someone lives in an old house to look at his shield?
Thank you — Vladimir
#1
0Alexander0 native 12.10.09 15:14
NEW 12.10.09 15:14
in reply to negor 12.10.09 14:44
In reply to:
How to make sure that red is ground? How to check?
Well, if you are sure that this is the same cable that you found in the wall and that they fit the light bulb, then this is already proof of that. And what does «Found wires in the wall» actually mean? Just gouged the wall or what? Or is there an outlet or a switch? As I understand it, if the wire goes to the light bulb, then the switch must be ??? You didn’t find it?
If you put Cheburashka on the asphalt and circle it with chalk, you will get a very indecent figure.
Wiped the dust off the TV. Turns out it’s in color! nine0005
#2
negor passerby 12.10.09 15:53
NEW 12.10.09 15:53
in reply to 0Alexander0 12.10.09 15:14
Thank you very much for a very sensible answer. Very useful information
Yes, I found the switch first. Above it, there is a round hole on top, closed with a plastic cover. Everything is plastered on top. Picked it up. Three wires come up from the top left, three more go to the top right (to the light bulb) and two from the bottom to the switch. Total 8 wires:
three inlet black, grey, red
three inlet (per bulb) black, grey, red
two down on switch. these are connected to the black ones at the top. Those. this phase should be. Probe tested.
gray are interconnected — it should be zero.
red just hang out.
Question — is it red land or just like that? Was there such a standard before in Germany?
It’s one thing that I assume it’s ground, it’s another to make sure.
In other sockets, a green-yellow wire goes to ground, as it should be now, but they
far away, do not drag the same earth away from them. nine0018 Once again the question: Who knows (came across) with such a combination: black — phase, gray (brown) 0, red — earth? Was there such a standard in Germany before?
Who knows German — can you try to search?
Thank you
#3
dennisgelsen local 12.10.09 16:28
NEW 12.10.09 16:28
in reply negor 12.10.09 15:53
Hello!
Indeed, earlier, and in some buildings still, there was a different color of wires. nine0018 Red — ground. Naturally, I cannot guarantee that the red one suitable for the dose is really connected to the ground bus in the shield. But it’s easy to check — «ring» the cable. It may also come in handy: with FI cocked (if any), Gray and red will show the connection.
When working, turn off the power, otherwise it will leak .
..!
#4
0Alexander0 native 12.10.09 16:56
NEW 12.10.09 16:56
in reply negor 12.10.09 15:53
In response to:
Once again the question: Who knows (came across) such a combination: black — phase, gray (brown) 0, red — earth?
Brown is also used as a standard for the phase, has not yet met as a zero, maybe before it was like that, but not now.
If you put Cheburashka on the asphalt and circle it with chalk, you will get a very indecent figure. Wiped the dust off the TV. Turns out it’s in color!
#5
negor passerby 10/12/0917:18
NEW 12.10.09 17:18
in reply to 0Alexander0 12.10.09 16:56
Thank you all! on the socket.de (http://rozetka.de/Forums/showthread.php?t=5116) the same advice was given — to check how the RCD will react.
I hope that red is really the earth, otherwise you will have to chemise something else. The neutral wire is old, rather gray, but a little brownish
I’ll try — I’ll write
Thank you — Vladimir
#6
dennisgelsen local 17:43
NEW 12.10.09 17:43
in reply to negor 12.10.09 17:18
gray — zero — it used to warm up and become brownish, but in the depths of the «soul» it is still gray.
#7
0Alexander0 native 12.10.09 17:55
NEW 12.10.09 17:55
in reply to dennisgelsen 12.10.09 17:43
In reply to:
but in the depths of the «soul» it is still gray
Ohhh, the wires have a soul. Gyyyy.
If you put Cheburashka on the asphalt and circle it with chalk, you will get a very indecent figure.
Wiped the dust off the TV. Turns out it’s in color! nine0005
#8
stepan2002 local 12.10.09 18:44
NEW 12.10.09 18:44
in reply negor 12.10.09 17:18
which counter you have is 1.f or 3f.
and you probably don’t have FI.
then let zero go to the ground in the socket and all the problems.
Trolblock
#9
negor passerby 13.10.09 11:25
NEW 10/13/09 11:25
in reply to stepan2002 10/12/09 18:44
> what counter do you have 1.f or 3f. nine0018 3 phases, because stove
> and you probably don’t have FI.
is on Bad, Art. car and something else
> then zero on the ground in the socket and all the problems.
Let zero on the ground — for such advice, sorry, you have to tear your head off.
You advise the Germans.
———————————————— ———————————-
Checked this morning. RCD() is. The test button works. First I tried to close zero and ground in a normal outlet. It worked. Then he closed the red wire and the gray zero in the wiring on the wall. worked too. Hooray. So red is earth. nine0018 Total: in old houses there can be black (phase), gray (0) and red (ground).
If there is an RCD, it is easy to check: we close the red and gray — it works — it means the red is connected to the ground.
Thank you all and all the best!
Vladimir
#10
stepan2002 local 13.10.09 19:34
NEW 10/13/09 19:34
in reply to negor 10/13/09 11:25
In reply to:
To put zero on the ground — for such advice, sorry, you have to tear your head off. nine0005
you can do it yourself
if you don’t know that in old houses with one phase, zero and earth go together (where there is no FI)
In response to:
You advise the Germans this.
I will not only advise
but I will say that they would continue to do so
Trolblock
#11
negor passer-by 14.10.09 10:08
NEW 10/14/09 10:08
in reply stepan2002 10/13/09 19:34
0018 i.e. are electric stoves and washing machines grounded to zero? Is this possible in Germany? TuV allows?
And for example, if zero breaks for any reason (the machine at zero will only work, or the wire will simply fall off) — are German housewives not afraid of 230V on the case?
May I have a question? Do you have anything to do with electrical installations? is this how you install it?
Vladimir
#12
stepan2002 local 14.10.09 20:32
NEW 14.10.0920:32
in reply to negor 14.10.09 10:08
In reply to:
Is this possible in Germany? TuV allows?
I was talking about old houses, when this was not only possible.
a was the standard when only two wires were brought into the house.
In reply to:
Are electric stoves and washing machines grounded to zero?
any electric stove can be connected to a 1, 2, 3-phase line, you just need to look how?
and where does the washing machine? it does not matter at all how you plug the plug into the outlet. nine0005
In response to:
if zero breaks for any reason
then nothing will work.
In response to:
the machine at zero will only work
where did you ever see the machine at zero?
In reply to:
Do you have anything to do with electrical installation? is this how you install it?
no, I work as a janitor.
well, if you want to continue the discussion, you can come
to me.
I’ll show you the switchboard in the apartment I’m renting. Made by a professional.
nine0005
Trolblock
#13
negor passerby 10/15/09 11:58
NEW 10/15/09 11:58
in reply to stepan2002 10/14/09 20:32
>> if zero breaks for any reason
> then nothing will work.
Current will not flow through other loads. For example, there will be no current through a light bulb. Will not burn. Then the voltage drop across the bulb is 0. The other end of the bulb is connected to zero. 230V will appear on it then. Well, if the zero with the ground is closed — then on the cases of all devices that are connected to sockets with the ground — 230V will also appear. Accordingly, the washing machine specifically hammers. The circuit is as follows: phase-bulb-zero-earth-body-man-boots-half-ground. That’s why grounding was invented. Even without an RCD, it won’t kill you. nine0018 If there is no earth in old houses, then it is forbidden to use sockets with earth.
Good luck.
#14
American, Western Europe wiring colors. Private electrician Muscovite
What are the shell color codes
wires are used for
designations in western countries
when installing electrical wiring
Cables, wires, all wiring ,
with which electrical installations are made
work in a house, apartment in
electrical panel, during installation
electrical appliances has a color
marking. Color coding
electrical wiring at
distribution of the variable and
any direct current
chain branches must have
color marking. nine0005
In some countries all colors
wires are listed in
legal documents,
some countries only have
some color suggestions
wires for electrical installation.
Let’s see what the rules are
color coding of wiring
there are wire insulation colors,
exist in the West.
In Europe, most countries
adheres to the IEC rules,
International Electrotechnical
commissions.
We will consider
the rules that are used
for wiring harness
alternating current. nine0005
Consider new and old
color codes. old encoding
did not fully take into account the exact
phase designation. Wiring
jobs are currently being performed with
taking into account the new color rules
encodings, which is more understandable and
handy for wiring.
By the way, in Europe the wire
protective earth everywhere
designated as green with a yellow stripe.
Wiring color codes
IEC applied in most
European countries:
|
Wire function |
Letter designation |
Color IEC |
Colour, old IEC |
|
Protective earth |
PE |
Green with yellow stripe |
nine0002
Green with yellow stripe |
|
Neutral, zero |
No. |
Blue nine0312 |
Blue |
|
Single phase |
L |
Brown |
Brown or black |
|
Line 1(3 phases) |
L1 |
nine0002
Brown |
Brown or black |
|
Line 2 (3 phases) |
L2 nine0312 |
Black |
Brown or black |
|
Line 3 (3 phases) |
L3 |
Gray |
Brown or black |
This is how the colors are
electrical wiring in Europe. If
produced installation
electrical wiring in a house with
three-phase voltage, then
the color of the wire you can understand what
the function is performed by the wire, which
is it phase or is it zero.
But in the USA color coding
wiring is different. There
is marked with the National
electrical code. The wire
grounding in America or copper
exposed, without insulation, or
green, or green with yellow
stripe. wire colors black,
red and blue are used for
electrical wiring with three-phase
AC voltage
120 volts. color code
brown, orange and yellow
used for electrical wiring
with higher variable
voltage. nine0005
Here are the color codes
AC wiring
current used in USA:
|
Wire function |
Letter designation |
Color for 120V |
Color alternative |
|
Protective earth |
PE |
nine0002
bare copper, |
Green |
|
Neutral, zero |
No. |
White |
Gray |
|
Line, single phase |
L |
Red or black |
|
|
Line (3 phase) |
L1 |
Black |
Brown |
|
Line (3 phase) |
L2 |
Red |
Orange |
|
Line (3-phase) |
L3 |
Blue |
Yellow |
So in the States zero in the socket
— white wire, which is for our
Russian wiring in
house is not typical.