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 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)

IEC 60445 (2010) (4)

United States

Black or Brown

Red, Orange (delta) or Violet (wye) White (6

)

Blue or Yellow

Black (120V) White , Red White or Grey (208V) or Grey or Blue (240V) Black (6
)

Green or Green / Yellow

NFPA 70 (NEC) (5)

Australia n / New Zealand People's Republic of China

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 White or Natural Grey Blue

Light Blue

Canada Brown and Japan

Black

Purple

Black or Brown

Light Blue

- (2)

- (2)

Russia

Brown

Black White or Yellow

Purple

Brown

Blue

Brown

Grey

South Africa Notes

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.

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

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