Wire colour codes to DIN - which colour for which conductor?
Conductor colours and marking are not a matter of taste in control panel building, they are governed by standards. This guide explains the mandatory wire colours to DIN EN 60204-1 and HD 308 S2 for earth, neutral and control and power wiring.
View wiring materialWhich base colours does the standard require?
Conductor colours for fixed installations and flexible cables are set by HD 308 S2 (in Germany DIN VDE 0293‑308), while machines and control panels also follow DIN EN 60204‑1. Two colours are reserved and must never be reused: green-yellow for the protective earth and blue for the neutral conductor.
The green-yellow combination is reserved exclusively for the protective earth (PE). Light blue identifies the neutral conductor (N). All other colours are available for line and control conductors, with the standard giving clear recommendations.
How is the power wiring marked?
For power wiring inside the panel, DIN EN 60204‑1 requires clear marking by type of supply. The default colour of power conductors is usually black, while control and special circuits use distinct colours to avoid confusion.
- Black: line conductors of power circuits (AC and DC).
- Brown / black / grey: the three line conductors L1, L2, L3 in three-phase networks.
- Light blue: neutral conductor N throughout the installation.
- Green-yellow: protective earth PE, continuous and unmistakable.
Which colours apply to control wiring?
For control wiring DIN EN 60204‑1 defines colours by type of current and origin of the supply. This lets a service technician see at once whether a wire belongs to an AC or DC control circuit or carries external voltage.
In addition the conductors receive ferrules and printed marking sleeves. Only the combination of the correct colour and a clear number to the circuit diagram makes the wiring auditable and easy to service.
Frequently asked questions
What colour is the protective earth?
The protective earth (PE) is always green-yellow. This colour combination is reserved solely for the protective earth and must not be used for any other purpose.
What colour is the neutral conductor?
The neutral conductor (N) is light blue. In new installations to HD 308 S2 blue clearly belongs to the neutral and never to a line conductor.
Why is a wire in the panel orange?
Orange marks conductors to DIN EN 60204‑1 that can carry external voltage even when the main switch is off. The colour warns of residual voltage.
Does colour replace conductor marking?
No. Colour shows the function, but every conductor must also be numbered to the circuit diagram so the wiring remains fully traceable.
Looking for standard-compliant wiring material?
We supply single-core wire in all standard colours, ferrules and marking systems for control and power wiring to DIN EN 60204-1.
Standard-compliant
Colours to HD 308 S2 and DIN EN 60204-1.
Clearly identifiable
Protective earth green-yellow, fully protected.
Traceable
Colour plus conductor marking to the diagram.
Expert advice
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