Did you know that wiring safety codes vary in different countries? While some stick to international standards, regulations may be established by a certain city, state or national legislation. Sometimes exceptions do exist.
In Australia and New Zealand, standards in electrical installations are specified in The Standard (AS/NZS 3000:2007). Wiring rules are indicated in this document.
The standard wire colours for flexible cable like extension cords, power cords and lamp cords are:
- Brown or red for phases
- Blue or black for neutral
- Green with a yellow stripe for protective or earth ground
The standard wire colours for fixed cable like wiring cables in, on or behind the wall are:
- Phases: any colours other than green, green with a yellow stripe, yellow, blue or black. Red or brown is recommended for single phase. Red, blue, or white is recommended for multiphase
- Neutral: either black or blue
- Protective/earth ground: green, green with a yellow stripe, or bare
Trivia Info Resource: www.sprintelectrical.com.au