Old Cable Colours

In 2006 the old electrical wiring colours were finally phased out.

Old cable colours. Although old wiring from before 2006 still exists in some houses and old appliances as long as the wiring is in good condition it can still be used safely. Cable colours and must not use the old colours. New wiring colours since 2006.

A transition period of 24 months from 1 mar 2009 to 28 feb 2011 is given before the new cable colour becomes mandatory on 1 mar 2011. In 2006 amendment 2 of 17 th edition bs7671 wiring regulations saw a change to harmonise the uk colours with the european cable colours for consistency and to avoid confusion. Old colours pillar terminals.

The changing of colour coding standards for electric cables is of the most significant changes for the electrical industry in modern history. The protective conductor is still identified by the colour combination green and yellow. Red red white white.

Landing lights with a switch upstairs and down or intermediate switching the cable format below may be used. Sab colour code for rtd connection cables. Very old appliances may have different colours in the flex.

During the transition period either the old or new cable colour code but not both may be used. As a result old uk wiring colours were required to change the red live wire and a black neutral wire. Switch drops from a junction box.

These colours have not been used in flexes since 1971 so any appliance with these colours in the flex is likely to be very old. The old wiring colour codes did not account for proper phase rotation therefore most of europe now abides by iec international electrotechnical commission for single phase and three phase electricity. The blue and yellow wires in cable d and the black wire in cable c are switched lives and thus should be marked with red sheathing at each end as shown.