In March 2004 There was an amendment to the British Standards BS 7671 which changed the colour coding of the electrical cables used within the UK. This change will bring us into harmony within the European Union. The reason for this change is the result of the European Union's standardisation policy. Most of the European Contries already uses these colour codes.

Where a new cable with the new colour code is to be installed into existing circuit, or an installations which has the existing old colour coded cables a warning notice lable must be fixed to that consumer unit (Fuse Board).

From 1st April 2006 only the new colour codes are allowed to be installed. The old colours are now obsolute. This does not means that you need to renew the existing old colour coded cable. They are still safe.

Old Colour Codes
The old colour codes used before March 2004 for single phase installations were as follows.
The Live conductor were coloured Red.
The Neutral conductor were coloured Black.
The Earth conductor were coloured Green or Green and Yellow.

The old colour codes used before March 2004 for 3 Phase installations were as follows.
The Live conductor were coloured Red.
The Live conductor were coloured Yellow.
The Live conductor were coloured Blue.
The Neutral conductor were coloured Black.
The Earth conductor were coloured Green or Green and Yellow.

The old colour codes used before March 2004 for 3 core and earth on lighting 2 way switch installations were as follows.
The Live conductor were coloured Red.
The Live conductor were coloured Yellow.
The Live conductor were coloured Blue.
The Earth conductor were coloured Green or Green and Yellow.

New colour codes
The new colour codes used after March 2004 for single phase installations are as follows.
The Live conductor are coloured Brown.
The Neutral conductor are coloured Blue.
The Earth conductor are coloured Green and Yellow.

The new colour codes used after March 2004 for 3 Phase installations are as follows.
The Live conductor are coloured Brown.
The Live conductor are coloured Black.
The Live conductor are coloured Grey.
The Neutral conductor are coloured Blue.
The Earth conductor are coloured Green or Green and Yellow.

The new colour codes used after March 2004 for 3 core and earth on lighting 2 way switch installations are as follows.
The Live conductor are coloured Brown.
The Live conductor are coloured Black.
The Live conductor are coloured Grey.
The Earth conductor are coloured Green or Green and Yellow.