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Thread: European AC wiring color codes

  1. #1
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    European AC wiring color codes

    I am modifying some European 220 VAC powered video gear to run on 120 VAC.

    The power cords all have one green/yellow wire, one blue and one brown. The green/yellow is obviously ground.

    Of the remaining two wires, which is Hot & which is Neutral?

  2. #2
    Member Jonty's Avatar
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    Live is Brown
    Neutral is Blue
    Earth is Green/Yellow

  3. #3
    Senior Member Graham's Avatar
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    Strange choice of colours aint it?, used to be red, black, and green, but they decided to change ??

    G

  4. #4
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    Thanks, Jonty

  5. #5
    Member Jonty's Avatar
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    Many moons ago I seem to remember one of the reasons for changing to the new colours.

    It seems that very old wiring had the earth colour as brown, and this could discolour to look like red, so the earth was changed to green. But then the new continental colours came along.

    As you say Graham, the newer colours are a strange choice, maybe it was something to do with colour blindness? Perhaps if you are colour blind blue and brown cannot be confused whereas red and black could be confused??

  6. #6
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    Close Guys,
    It's about colour blindess.
    The problem is Red and Green! is not seen properly.
    Red/green colour blindness is not uncommon.
    A very real hazard with earthed appliances.

    These days warning flags are half red/half fluoro green for the same reason.
    Cheers R.

    [This message has been edited by RustyGT (edited 06-11-2001).]

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