Color codes
Conductors of a three phase system are usually identified by a color code,
to allow for balanced loading and to assure the correct phase rotation for induction
motors. Colors used may adhere to International Standard IEC 60446,
older standards, or to no standard at all, and may vary even within a single
installation. For example, in the U.S. and Canada, different color codes are
used for grounded (earthed) and ungrounded systems.
|
|
L1
|
L2
|
L3
|
Neutral
|
Ground/
protective earth
|
|
United States (common
practice)1
|
Black
|
Red
|
Blue
|
White, or grey
|
Green, green/yellow striped, or a bare copper wire
|
|
United States (alternative
practice)2
|
Brown
|
Orange (delta), or violet (wye)
|
Yellow
|
Grey, or white
|
Green
|
|
Canada
(mandatory)[5]
|
Red
|
Black
|
Blue
|
White
|
Green, or bare copper
|
|
Canada (isolated
three-phase installations)[6]
|
Orange
|
Brown
|
Yellow
|
White
|
Green
|
|
European
Union, and all countries who use European CENELEC
standards April 2004 (IEC 60446), Hong Kong from July 2007
|
Brown
|
Black
|
Grey
|
Blue
|
Green/yellow striped4
|
|
Older European (IEC 60446,
varies by country6)
|
Black, or brown
|
Black, or brown
|
Black, or brown
|
Blue
|
Green/yellow striped5
|
|
UK until April
2006, Hong Kong until April 2009, South Africa, Malaysia
|
Red
|
Yellow
|
Blue
|
Black
|
Green/yellow striped (green on installations approx.
before 1970)
|
|
Pakistan
|
Red
|
Yellow
|
Blue
|
Black
|
Green
|
|
India
|
Red
|
Yellow
|
Blue
|
Black
|
Green
|
|
Australia and
New Zealand (per AS/NZS 3000:2007 Figure 3.2)
|
Red3
|
White3
(prev. yellow)
|
Dark Blue3
|
Black3
|
Green/yellow striped (green on very old installations)
|
|
People's
Republic of China (per GB 50303-2002 Section 15.2.2)
|
Yellow
|
Green
|
Red
|
Light blue
|
Green/yellow striped
|
|
Malaysia
|
Red
|
Yellow
|
Blue
|
Black
|
Green, or green/yellow striped
|