Electrical Wiring Colour

Ref [1]  http://www.accesscomms.com.au/reference/powerplug.htm
Ref [2] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrical_wiring_in_the_United_Kingdom

According to [2]

	Pre-1977 IEE	Pre-2004 IEE	Current IEC
Protective earth (PE)
Neutral (N)
Single phase: Line (L)
Three-phase: L1
Three-phase: L2
Three-phase: L3

According to [1]

Australian 3-Pin Electrical Mains Plug

The domestic mains power supply in Australia is 240V AC, 50Hz. Standard 3-pin earthed power outlets are rated at 10Amps and are usually switched. The 3-flat-pin plug is used in all states of Australia (including its external territories), New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands.  Although the configuration is similar to mains plugs used in mainland China, dimensional differences to the plug body may be incompatible with recessed cord socket and prevent Chinese-compliant CPCS/CCC (CCEE) plugs from being legally sold/used in Australia.  Argentina also uses a similar 3-flat-pin configuration as Australia, but with slight dimensional differences and with the active and neutral wires being reversed. These important differences prevent the Argentina-compliant IRAM plugs from being legally sold/used in Australia as incorrect polarity may present an electrical safety hazard.

The Australian mains plug configuration was originally presented as provisional standard C112 in 1937, formalised as Standard C112 in 1938, redesignated AS3112 in 1981 and harmonized with the New Zealand standard and redesignated AS/NZS3112 in 1993.  Australian Standards AS/NZS 3112:2000 and AS/NZS3112:2004 for Australian Mains Plugs now define the requirements for theinsulation of the Active and Neutral pins of the plug.  15Amp and 20Ampconfigurations of the mains plug and outlet are also defined by the standard.

The following diagram shows the Australian plug wiring configuration.

 

The diagrams below show wiring for an Australian 240V mains cord plug and socket. Note the "reversal" of the Active and Neutral wires depending on whether you are wiring a socket or a plug.

 

Standard wire colors are:

	Marking	Flex conductor colors	Building wire conductor colors
Active	A	Brown	Red
Neutral	N	Blue	Black
Earth	E	Green/Yellow	Green/Yellow

Older flex and premises wiring will use the following colors:

	Marking	Flex conductor colors	Building wire conductor colors
Active	A	Red	Red
Neutral	N	Black	Black
Earth	E	Green	Green

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