What is an Electrical Panel Color Code?

Electrical Panel Color Code

As a manager of a manufacturing company, you need to educate your workers on the importance of handling electrical cables and other electrical components with care. This involves teaching them about the electrical panel color code and color schemes so that they can easily understand what each color indicates and how to handle the cables.

To achieve this, it’s important to display the electrical wiring diagram and electrical color code chart in different areas of your factory and on electrical equipment where workers can see them clearly. Ensure that all your workers understand what an electrical wiring diagram is and can interpret it correctly.

Electrical Panel Color Codes Explained

An electrical panel color code is the guide used by electricians to determine how electrical cables are connected. This connection is based on the colors of the cables. If you open your wall outlet, you’ll notice several electrical cables with different colors.

Electrical panel colors aren’t chosen randomly. They help electricians know which cables they’re working with and can vary from one location to the other.

Everyone in your factory should be aware of the local cable color code to avoid electricity-related accidents. One of the effective ways to continuously remind your workers of the local cable color code is to print and display all the necessary details about the color code on your factory walls and nearby equipment.

This way, your workers can review the coding scheme before they handle the electrical panel just to confirm which cables are for what purpose.

Electrical Cable Color Schemes Explained

In the United States, electricians use the National Electrical Code (NEC) wiring standard to determine what cable colors to use in electrical panels. This is an adaptable electrical standard for safe wiring and installation of equipment.

The NEC wiring code is related to the National Fire Code (NFC). The NEC wiring code recognizes common wire colors like red, black, blue, yellow, gray, white, and green. It’s also a good idea to review the NFC to know what to do if an outlet catches fire.

Here are some of the common wiring colors and what they indicate:

Red Cables

Red cables indicate a live wire. Because most manufacturing factories have two- or three-phase electricity connections, you’ll find red and black cables wired together. In regular households with a single-phase connection, you’ll find single live wires.

Live wires are also referred to as ‘hot wires’ and must be disconnected whenever you want to service your electrical panel.

Black Cables

Black cables also indicate a live (hot) wire. A black wire runs from the electrical supply to your outlets, appliances, and lights.

Black hot wires carry an electric charge. This is why you must disconnect any live wires before servicing your electrical panel–even if you turn off the power at your circuit breaker box.

Yellow and Blue Cables

Blue and yellow electrical cables are usually paired together and are live wires. This pair is typically used for switch-controlled cabling. In three-phase connections, the blue cable indicates the third phase.

The yellow cable is used to connect switches that control ceiling fans and lights. The blue cable, on the other hand, serves as the travelers in three-way and four-way switches to provide multiple electricity pathways.

Green Cables

Green, green with yellow stripes, or bare copper cables indicate ground wires. These wires are important for creating safe pathways to the ground to prevent electrical shocks or fires.

White and Gray Cables

These cables indicate neutral wires. They’re used as return pathways for power when it reaches the intended point of consumption. Treat neutral wires with care because they also transmit an electrical charge.

Keep Your Workplace Safe

Make sure your workplace has the right number of electrical safety signs and labels with all the necessary information about the local electrical panel color code and color schemes. Talk to Creative Safety Supply and get the right safety signs for your work environment!