Colour Identification
IEC 60309 plugs and sockets are identified by colour. The national mains power around the world are almost always based on a frequency of 50 Hz or 60 Hz, so the colour coding refers to the voltage. Effectively the most widespread colour codes are yellow 110 V, blue 230 V and red 400 V. The black 500 V colour code can often be found on ships.
For higher frequencies beyond 60 Hz (up to 500 Hz) green connectors are used. For any other voltage and frequency a grey housing is used. This makes for the following colour coding:
| Voltage range | Frequency range | Colour code |
|---|---|---|
| 020–025 V | 0050/60 Hz | Purple |
| 040–050 V | 0050/60 Hz | White |
| 100–130 V | 0050/60 Hz | Yellow |
| 200–250 V | 0050/60 Hz | Blue |
| 380–480 V | 0050/60 Hz | Red |
| 500–690 V | 0050/60 Hz | Black |
| - | >60–500 Hz | Green |
| None of the above | Grey | |
Read more about this topic: IEC 60309
Famous quotes containing the word colour:
“O Paddy dear, an’ did ye hear the news that’s goin’ round?
The shamrock is by law forbid to grow on Irish ground!
No more Saint Patrick’s Day we’ll keep, his colour can’t be seen,
For there’s a cruel law agin the wearin’ o’ the Green!”
—Unknown. The Wearing of the Green (l. 37–40)