AC line conductors
Three line terminals. Their labels identify functions; check phase sequence separately.
HAIK ELECTRIC · ELECTRICAL CHARTS & REFERENCES
Global Electrical Wire Color Codes
Compare selected international AC and DC schemes, including single-phase and three-phase power wiring. Each profile identifies its application and reference.
Color is an identification aid, not a test. Confirm conductor function, polarity, voltage, and phase sequence using the circuit documentation and appropriate testing. Neutral, DC return, and protective earth are different functions.
Choose a system
Compare Two Systems
Choose a power-system type, then compare two profiles by conductor function. Differences are highlighted; identical colors still require testing and circuit documentation.
Compare the stated applications and status as well as the colors. This is a reference comparison, not a conversion or rewiring instruction. Phase colors do not establish rotation, and a DC grounded pole is different from protective earth.
Wire & Terminal Markings
Use the terminal’s function label alongside the wire color and circuit drawing.
Neutral
An AC circuit conductor. It may carry current and is distinct from protective earth.
Protective earth / equipment ground
The protective grounding function, distinct from neutral and DC return.
DC positive
Positive pole, as defined by the circuit and terminal markings.
DC negative
Negative pole. Its grounding arrangement depends on the system.
DC midpoint
Midpoint circuit conductor. It is not the PE conductor.
AC three-phase comparison
The labels below show each profile’s stated assignment. IEC’s basic color rules do not establish phase rotation.
| Profile | Conductors and colors | Status / reference |
|---|---|---|
| United States 120/208 V three-phase Current | A / L1Black B / L2Red C / L3Blue N · NeutralWhite or Gray EGC · Equipment groundGreen or Green / Yellow or Bare | Common practice + reserved conductor identification Schneider Electric — U.S. phase-color conventions OSHA — conductor identification |
| United States 277/480 V three-phase Current | A / L1Brown B / L2Orange C / L3Yellow N · NeutralGray EGC · Equipment groundGreen or Green / Yellow or Bare | Common practice + reserved conductor identification Schneider Electric — U.S. phase-color conventions OSHA — conductor identification |
| United Kingdom Harmonised three-phase Current | L1Brown L2Black L3Gray N · NeutralBlue PE · Protective earthGreen / Yellow | Installation color scheme IET — harmonised colors and historical schemes |
| Europe / IEC Harmonised three-phase example Current | L1 · Example assignmentBrown L2 · Example assignmentBlack L3 · Example assignmentGray N · NeutralBlue PE · Protective earthGreen / Yellow | Common harmonised arrangement IEC 60445:2021 + Amendment 1:2026 IEC conductor identification — published sample IET — harmonised colors and historical schemes |
| Hong Kong Current three-phase Current | L1Brown L2Black L3Gray N · NeutralBlue PE · Protective earthGreen / Yellow | Local installation color scheme Hong Kong EMSD — wiring color transition |
| Australia · Queensland example Road-lighting three-phase Current | A / L1Red B / L2White C / L3Dark Blue N · NeutralBlack PE · EarthGreen / Yellow | Published project specification Queensland TMR — MRTS256, May 2026, section 6.3 |
| United Kingdom Older fixed wiring · three-phase Legacy | L1Red L2Yellow L3Blue N · NeutralBlack PE · EarthGreen / Yellow | Historical identification IET — harmonised colors and historical schemes |
DC comparison
Current IEC red/white, battery red/black, and legacy UK brown/gray are different schemes.
| Profile | Conductors and colors | Status / reference |
|---|---|---|
| IEC systems Two-wire DC · unearthed poles Current | L+ · PositiveRed L− · NegativeWhite PE · Protective earth, if presentGreen / Yellow | IEC color identification IEC 60445:2021 + Amendment 1:2026 IEC conductor identification — published sample |
| IEC systems Three-wire DC with midpoint Current | L+ · PositiveRed M · MidpointBlue L− · NegativeWhite PE · Protective earth, if presentGreen / Yellow | IEC color identification IEC 60445:2021 + Amendment 1:2026 IEC conductor identification — published sample |
| Battery / equipment example Red / black DC equipment convention Current | + · PositiveRed − · NegativeBlack | Manufacturer example / common practice Victron — equipment battery/PV connections |
| United States DC premises wiring · overview Current | + · Ungrounded positive · color optionRed − · Ungrounded negative · color optionBlack Grounded circuit conductor, if presentWhite or Gray EGC · Equipment groundGreen or Green / Yellow or Bare | Edition- and circuit-dependent rules NFPA 70 — verify adopted edition OSHA — conductor identification |
| United Kingdom Older DC power-circuit scheme Legacy | L+ · Positive · unearthed polesBrown L− · Negative · unearthed polesGray PE · Protective earth, if presentGreen / Yellow | Historical scheme · 2004 reference IET — harmonised colors and historical schemes |
Understand the conductor labels
AC line conductors
AC neutral; can carry current
DC positive, negative, midpoint
Protective earth / equipment grounding conductor
A grounded DC pole is not automatically protective earth. Machinery, vehicle, marine, photovoltaic, telecom, and control circuits may use different identification requirements. Combined PEN/PEL/PEM conductors require additional rules and are outside these simple profiles.
Coverage & sources
This page compares selected verified schemes; it is not an exhaustive list of every country. Europe/IEC is a general reference, not a substitute for national installation rules. Australia is represented by the explicitly identified Queensland road-lighting specification. Legacy profiles are for recognizing existing wiring.
- Schneider Electric — U.S. phase-color conventions
- OSHA — conductor identification
- IEC 60445:2021 + Amendment 1:2026
- IEC conductor identification — published sample
- IET — harmonised colors and historical schemes
- Hong Kong EMSD — wiring color transition
- Queensland TMR — MRTS256, May 2026, section 6.3
- Victron — equipment battery/PV connections
- NFPA 70 — verify adopted edition
Reviewed October 2026. NEC and IEC editions and local adoption can differ; use the edition applicable to the installation.