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» Need Electrical Help? Get a Quick Reply! Ask the Electrician
House Electrical Wire Color Chart
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Summary: Electrical wire colors for most typical home electrical wiring. The chart below includes UK electrical wire, EU electrical wire, Australia electrical wire, New Zealand electrical wire, South Africa electrical wire, Canada electrical wire and United States electrical wire.
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The Electrical Wire Identification System
To enable wires to be easily and safely identified all common wiring safety codes follow a structured color scheme for the insulation of electrical wire.
There are local rules and exceptions that exist based upon the exact application.
Many older wire installations may vary in color codes, and color may fade or change with heat and age of insulation.
| such as Extension cords, power (line) cords and lamp cords |
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| World Region, country or other entity(ies) |
Live | Neutral | Protective earth/ground | |
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| EU, Australia & South Africa (IEC 60446) | brown | blue | green & yellow | |
| Australia & New Zealand (AS/NZS 3000:2007 3.8.1) | brown | light blue | green/yellow | |
| United States and Canada | black (brass) | white (silver) | green (green) | |
(In or behind the wall wiring cables) |
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| Region | Live | Neutral | Protective earth/ground | |
| EU (IEC 60446) including UK from 31 March 2004 | brown | blue | green & yellow | |
| Australia and South Africa | red | black | green & yellow (core is usually bare and should be sleeved at terminations. In Australia the earth core has been separately insulated with green or green/yellow plastic since about 1980. | |
| United States and Canada | 120/208/240V: black, red, blue (brass) 277/480V: brown, orange, yellow |
120/208/240V: white (silver) 277/480V: gray |
green (green) or bare copper wire Isolated ground: Green with yellow stripe |
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| Note: the colors in this table represent the most common and preferred standard colors for typical home wiring however others may be in use, especially in older installations. | ||||
More about House Wiring
Learn more about House Wiring |
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The Safest Way to Test Electrical Devices and Identify Electric Wires!The Non-Contact Electrical TesterThis is a testing tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and is the first test tool I grab to help identify electrical wiring. It is a Non-contact tester that I use to easily Detect Voltage in Cables, Cords, Circuit Breakers, Lighting Fixtures, Switches, Outlets and Wires. Simply insert the end of the tester into an outlet, lamp socket, or hold the end of the tester against the wire you wish to test. Very handy and easy to use.
The Quickest Way to Check for Faulty Electrical Wiring!The Plug-In Outlet TesterThis is the first tool I grab to troubleshoot a problem with outlet circuit wiring. This popular tester is also used by most inspectors to test for power and check the polarity of circuit wiring. It detects probable improper wiring conditions in standard 110-125 VAC outlets Provides 6 probable wiring conditions that are quick and easy to read for ultimate efficiency Lights indicate if wiring is correct and indicator light chart is included Tests standard 3-wire outlets UL Listed Light indicates if wiring is incorrect Very handy and easy to use.
Strip Off Wire Insulation without Nicking and Damaging the Electric Wire!The Wire Stripper and Wire CutterMy absolute favorite wire stripping tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and this is the tool I use to safely strip electrical wires. This handy tool has multiple uses: The wire gauges are shown on the side of the tool so you know which slot to use for stripping insulation. The end of the tool can be used to grip and bend wire which is handy for attaching wire onto the screw terminals of switches and outlets.. The wire stripper will work on both solid and stranded wire. This tool is Very Handy and Easy to Use. |
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