
NEC Color Code for the US in DC Power Electrical Wiring.IEC Color Code for most of the European Union (Including UK from 2004).Some of the standard color codes that are used in electrical wiring are described below. Understanding of these electrical wiring color codes is important as the properties of different wire may be different from other and wrongful placement or connections may be hazardous. There are some standards like IEC (International Electro technical Committee) for most of the European Union, National Electrical Code for the US, Canadian Electric Code for Canada etc. Some color codes for electrical wiring are mandatory while some are optional. There are some safety measurements that are to be followed while dealing with electrical wiring and the color codes of wires will help in implementing those safety measurements as a single code is followed in that particular jurisdiction.ĭepending on the local rules and laws, different jurisdictions have different views on color coding of the wires. With the help of color codes of electrical wires, they can be easily and safely identified. In case of a three phase power supply, there are three wires for lines, one for neutral and one for protective ground.

In case of a single phase power supply, there are three wires one each for line, neutral and protective ground. We know that the power can be in either single – phase or three – phase.ĭepending on the phase of the power supply, different colored wires are used for different voltages. But a general color code is used to identify different types of conductors which are used in electrical wiring. An electrical wire is a single solid or twisted Copper or Aluminum conductor with or without any insulation.Įach wire used for electrical wiring is marked with information like wire gauge, ampacity, maximum voltage, and maximum temperature. The collection of Electrical wiring and electrical devices like switches, sockets, meters and fittings is called Electrical Installation or Building Wiring. In order to use the electricity in our homes, a proper wiring is required. Once it is distributed to our homes, we can use it to power up different appliances. They are generation of electricity at power plants, transmission of the generated power through transmission lines and distribution at the residence and industries.


The electric power that we use at our residence is generated at a distant power plant.Īctually, in order to use the electric power at our homes, three important process are involved. We use electricity for residential, industrial, commercial, transport etc. It is an essential part of modern life and the economy of a country depends on it. Electricity is one of the important types of energy and power that we use in our daily lives.
