2/14/2018 New Cable Colour Code for Electrical Installations

Introduction
Old Cable Colour Code
New Cable Colour Code
Timeline for Change
Why Is There a Need to Change
The Cable Colour Code?
How Will The Changes Affect
Me?
Short Courses Provided by
Training Institutions
Briefing Sessions for Licensed
Electrical Workers
Leaflet for Cable Colour Code
Change
Poster for Cable Colour Code
Change
Fact Sheet on Amendment No.1
to SS CP 5:1998
Circular on Cable Colour Code
Change

For Consumers
For People in The Trade

Introduction

The existing cable colour code for fixed electrical wiring stipulated in the Singapore
Standard CP5:1998 Code of practice for electrical installations has been amended to align
with international standards such as BS 7671 and IEC 60446. The amendments also
address our local needs and practices so that the standard of electrical safety will not be
compromised with this change.

Cable colour code is for identification of conductors used in electrical installations.

Old Cable Colour Code

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2/14/2018 New Cable Colour Code for Electrical Installations

From 1 Mar 09 onwards, all new electrical installations, including addition and alteration to
existing electrical installations, may use new colour cables of brown, black, grey (for line),
blue (for neutral) and green-and-yellow (for earth) as set out in the amended SS CP5: 1998.

New Cable Colour Code

A transition period of 24 months from 1 Mar 2009 to 28 Feb 2011 is given before the new
cable colour becomes mandatory on 1 Mar 2011.

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2/14/2018 New Cable Colour Code for Electrical Installations

During the transition period, either the old or new cable colour code, but not both, may be
used.

Starting from 1 Mar 2011, the new cable colour code shall be used in all new electrical
installations, as well as addition and alteration to existing electrical installations.

Timeline for Change

Why Is There a Need To Change The Cable Colour Code?

The new cable colour code was first adopted by the European Committee for
Electrotechnical Standardization (CENELEC) for electrical installations of its member
countries. United Kingdom, one of the members of CENELEC, had subsequently revised
the IEE Wiring Regulations and adopted the harmonized cable colour code in 2004 to align
with the European practices. Hong Kong has also recently aligned their cable colour code
with the UK practices.

As more and more countries adopting the new cable colour code, there is no advantage for
a small country like Singapore with much lower demand of electrical cables than many
other countries to keep the old cable colour code that is different from that of the
international community. With the decreasing demand in electrical cables under the old
cable colour code around the world, the cost of electrical cables under the old cable colour
code may become less competitive and the delivery may become more unreliable in the
future. As such, it would make more economic sense for Singapore to adopt the new cable
colour code.

How Will the Changes Affect Me?

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2/14/2018 New Cable Colour Code for Electrical Installations

For people in the trade

You need to know the new cable colour code, the differences between the old and new
cable colours for line and neutral cables, how to provide appropriate colour markings and
warning notice when both old and new versions of cable colour code exist in an electrical
installation, etc. You are advised to read the "Supplementary guide to revised cable colour
code" published by SPRING Singapore and attend short courses to familarise yourself with
the change in cable colour code.

For Consumers
You are not required to replace your existing electrical wiring or appliances to align with the
new cable colour code. However, all new electrical wiring shall comply with the new cable
colour code with effect from 1 Mar 2011.

Copyright 2009

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