Standard wire colours for FLEXIBLE cable

(e.g. Extension cords, power (line) cords and lamp cords)

Region
or
Country

Phases

Neutral

Protective
earth/ground

Europea
n Union
(EU),
Australia
, South
Africa
(IEC 604
46)
Australia
, New
Zealand
(AS/NZ
S
3000:20
07 3.8.3)

Brazil

United
States,
Canada

,
,

(brass)

(silver)

(green)

Standard wire colours for FIXED cable

(e.g. In-, On-, or Behind-the-wall wiring cables)
Region
or
Country
Europea
n Union
(EU)
(IEC 604
46)
including
UK from
31
March
2004

UK prior
to 31
March
2004

Phases

Neutral

Protective
earth/ground

(fo
rmerly)
bare conductor,

sleeved at
terminations
(formerly)
Any colours other
Australia
, New
than
Zealand
(AS/NZ
S
3000:20
07 clause Recommended for single phase:
Recommended for
3.8.1,
table 3.4)
multiphase:

Brazil

(si
nce about 1980)
(si

or
nce about 1980)
bare conductor,
sleeved at
terminations
(formerly)

South
Africa

or

bare conductor,
sleeved at
terminations

India,
Pakistan

(gr
United
States

(120/208/240V)
(brass)

(120/208/240V) (silver)

een)
bare conductor
(gr

,
,

(277/480V)

ound or isolated
ground)

(120/208/240V)
,

(600/347V)

Canada
,
,
isolated systems)

(277/480V)

(120/208/240V)

(green)
bare conductor

(single phase isolated systems)

,

(three phase

(600/347V)

(is
olated ground)