Core colours – all change in 2004!
From 1 April 2004 the cores of single-phase cables will follow the harmonised colours used today in flexible cords: brown (phase) and blue (neutral) instead of the existing red (phase) and black (neutral). The cores for three phase cables will be brown (phase 1), black (phase 2) and grey (phase 3) with blue (neutral). The green/yellow combination will continue to be used for any earth conductor.
On 1 April 2004 an amendment to BS7671 (Wiring Regulations) recognising the new core colour identification will be published together with more than 20 amended cable standards incorporating the necessary colour changes. The Wiring Regulations will allow an overlap period of two years when existing or harmonised colours can be used, but for installations commencing after 1 April 2006, only the harmonised colours will be allowed.
BCA members are committed to the availability of harmonised core colour cables from 1 April 2004, in line with the publication of the amended cable standards. After 1 April 2004 the existing pre-harmonised core colours cables will no longer be manufactured for cable makers stock but will continue to be supplied on the basis of stock availability of by specific manufacture request.
Manufacture of the harmonised designs prior to 1 April 2004 would be possible by specific manufacturer request but only on the basis that any such cables could not be certified against any standard.
In order to assist identification of the two cable types, harmonised or pre-harmonised, during the change-over period, BCA members intend to introduce new identification measures for the harmonised cables whilst pre-harmonised cables retain the existing identification. For general wiring cables it is anticipated that a modified CMA code will be introduced.
The National Safety Umbrella Group (NSUG) on cable core colours (L/12) continue to co-ordinate matters and are actively considering the greater dissemination of information on the topic to both the trade and public. Regular press releases are to be issued by IEE/BEC and a dedicated website set up. The NSUG are also lobbying Government for funding for a major campaign to raise public awareness of the colour changes. There is no doubt that this is a daunting task of considerable magnitude if serious safety problems are to be avoided.
An Industry launch of the new core colours is planned at the IEE on 31 March 2004 – a launch on 1 April being in danger of relegation to the “spaghetti trees” columns.
There is no doubt that a lot of detail work needs to be carried out by all interested parties if this major change is to proceed smoothly and effective co-operation will be vital. As manufactures, BCA members look to the earliest possible take up of the harmonised cable within the transition period to prevent the agony being too prolonged.