Colors and marking of wires
L1 brown, L2 black, L3 grey, N blue, PE green-yellow (IEC 60445). Reverse search by color — find out whether a wire is phase, neutral or earth.
Standard selection
Conductor colors
Reverse search
What wire color do you see?
Standard comparison
| Conductor | IEC/EN | Soviet | NEC (USA) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | Brown | Wh/Br | Black |
| Phase 2 | Black | — | Red |
| Phase 3 | Gray | — | Blue |
| Neutral (N) | Blue | Bl/Blk | White |
| Ground (PE) | Y-G | Y-G/Blk | Green |
Protective earth PE
Important nuances
Color marking of wires and phases in Ukraine
Since 2011, Ukraine has adopted a standard corresponding to international standard IEC 60446 (its requirements have since been incorporated into IEC 60445). According to this standard: phase conductors L1/L2/L3 — brown, black, grey; neutral (N) — blue; protective earth (PE) — yellow-green striped.
In older residential buildings, Soviet-era wiring with different markings or without a PE conductor is often found. Before any work on such wiring, always check each wire with a multimeter.
When working with imported equipment from the USA or Canada, consider the NEC standard, where colors differ drastically: black — phase, white — neutral, green — ground.
When designing an electrical panel, it is important to correctly mark all connections according to IEC. In the ElectroBoard constructor all connections automatically receive correct color marking according to IEC. The system shows brown, black, and grey for phases, blue for neutral, and yellow-green for PE.
For three-phase circuits, it is important to maintain phase sequence: L1 (brown), L2 (black), L3 (grey). This avoids errors during connection and maintenance. In the ElectroBoard constructor, you can verify the correct marking of all connections in the panel.
Frequently asked questions about wire colors
What do wire colors mean in IEC 60445 (formerly IEC 60446)?
Under IEC 60445 (formerly IEC 60446): L1 — brown, L2 — black, L3 — gray. Neutral (N) — blue, protective earth (PE) — yellow-green striped.
How do I tell neutral from earth if both look blue?
Under IEC 60445 (formerly IEC 60446), neutral (N) is solid blue, PE is yellow-green striped — visually distinct. Problems arise in old Soviet wiring where PE could be black or absent. Always verify with a multimeter.
Is brown always the phase wire?
In IEC 60445 (formerly IEC 60446) wiring: L1 is brown, L2 is black, L3 is gray, neutral is blue. Blue is always neutral, never phase in modern wiring. In older Soviet installations colors can be inconsistent — always measure before touching.
Why do wire colors in old buildings differ?
Soviet wiring (pre-2000s) used a different standard: phase — white or brown, neutral — blue or black. In most old apartments the PE conductor is absent or bonded to neutral (PEN).
Can yellow-green wire be used as phase?
Absolutely not. Yellow-green is reserved exclusively for PE (protective earth) per IEC 60445 and IEC 60364. Using it as phase creates a lethal hazard during maintenance.
What color is the PEN conductor?
PEN is marked blue throughout with yellow-green markings at the ends. It is used in TN-C systems, which are prohibited for new residential installations under IEC 60364.
What are the phase colors L1, L2, L3 per IEC 60445 (formerly IEC 60446)?
Per IEC 60445 (formerly IEC 60446): L1 — brown, L2 — black, L3 — gray. Maintain phase sequence when installing three-phase circuits. For single-phase systems (most residential), only L1 (brown) is used.
Tools
Related tools
IP Protection Ratings
Interactive IP code reference per IEC 60529. Decode by code or installation location. IP44, IP54, IP65, IP67.
Cable cross-section calculation
Cable cross-section selection by power, current and installation method per the app's reference table.
Sticker Generator for Panel
Create and print labels for MCBs, RCDs, RCBOs. Multiple rails, phase colors, exact DIN size. Logo and QR code when printing.
Assemble panels with correct marking
ElectroBoard automatically applies wire color marking according to IEC when designing a panel.