3 phase colours

[jmc1683]

When you are using 3 phase colours for live neutral and earth, should you use black or grey as neutral, I usually use black as it was the old neutral colour. I work self employed for various different companies and some say you should NEVER use black as neutral, others say only use black. I always sleeve them anyway of course and I know then it doesn't really matter but what is the general opinion? I'm getting fed up of this, happened again Saturday, I was connecting coupe of swa's into board and I was connecting the blacks (sleeved blue) onto neutral bar and collegue walks in, go's, oh, didn't see that! should never use black as neutral. this is not a huge issue, no need to belittle me, just looking for opinion for discussion.

 

[Guest55]

however , the problem is this......
the job im on now , ive connected new submains to main panel using black as earth.
another contractor has added cables using black as neutral.
it just doesnt look right , a bit hodge bodge.
surely after 7 years there needs to be an accepted understanding even if nothing official is written.
another pain in the --- is the fact that most 3 core cable is sold as Br/Bk/Gr which doesnt work out as clearly as Br/Bl/GY for single phase.

 

[44ALLAN]

Being terminally colour blind, I don't care.
Mark them up as L1 L2 L3 & N.
The shiny one left over must be the cpc.

And then over time the numbers deteriorate or drop off and my blue and green and yellow tape unravels and we're left with a black that is actually a neutral and not a line and a grey that is actually an earth but everyone is colour blind and foreign anyway so who cares lol !!!!!!

Thank god I was trained (know you were too mate and a lot higher than me)...........trust no-one elses work.
Don't believe what you see.
Don't believe what anyone tells you.
Don't trust your test meters..............after doing all the relevant dead tests....................short everything to earth with your screwdriver or insulated spanner (turning your head away first) just to make sure their is no 'charge' there before touching it

 

[Guest55]

anyways , wrapping this subject up before bedtime , changing UK wiring colours has been the worst change in the electrical industry for many a year in my opinion

just wish the euro would now crash & burn lol.

 

[Silly Sausage]

And then over time the numbers deteriorate or drop off and my blue and green and yellow tape unravels and we're left with a black that is actually a neutral and not a line and a grey that is actually an earth but everyone is colour blind and foreign anyway so who cares lol !!!!!!

Thank god I was trained (know you were too mate and a lot higher than me)...........trust no-one elses work.
Don't believe what you see.
Don't believe what anyone tells you.
Don't trust your test meters..............after doing all the relevant dead tests....................short everything to earth with your screwdriver or insulated spanner (turning your head away first) just to make sure their is no 'charge' there before touching it

Al, as I said earlier today...'Don't believe anything you read' !!! :smilielol5:

 

[44ALLAN]

however , the problem is this......
the job im on now , ive connected new submains to main panel using black as earth.
another contractor has added cables using black as neutral.
it just doesnt look right , a bit hodge bodge.
surely after 7 years there needs to be an accepted understanding even if nothing official is written.
another pain in the --- is the fact that most 3 core cable is sold as Br/Bk/Gr which doesnt work out as clearly as Br/Bl/GY for single phase.

Totally agree mate....................there should be no 'grey' areas so to speak.lol
But as you say when I'm terminating an swa and I have a black and a grey left over then it's a no brainer to me the black is gonna be the neutral and sleeved blue.

 

[44ALLAN]

Al, as I said earlier today...'Don't believe anything you read' !!! :smilielol5:

Missed that one mate I was on the golf cour.....................erm I mean I was grafting and never read it :sad_smile:

 

[44ALLAN]

Yeah that's usually the case here too. Was just thinking back to a few incidents during the colour change period lol.

Well................training is everything mate we all know that.

 

[GLENNSPARK]

I use grey as the neutral....but the chap i work with has always used black....lol..
we have ended up having to go over each others terminations in the past before we test owt....lol....
he uses grey now.....

 

[Silly Sausage]

I use grey as the neutral....but the chap i work with has always used black....lol..
we have ended up having to go over each others terminations in the past before we test owt....lol....
he uses grey now.....

I'd be interested in observing your discussion with Lord Cable on this topic at the forthcoming electrical event in Manchester.

 

[44ALLAN]

I use grey as the neutral....but the chap i work with has always used black....lol..
we have ended up having to go over each others terminations in the past before we test owt....lol....
he uses grey now.....

Bet that cost you a bacon sarnie at least lol

 

[Guest55]

i must say 44allan you seem in the minority for using black as neutral..........

someone should do a forum poll , i bet at least 70% use grey for neutral.
;-)

 

[GLENNSPARK]

Bet that cost you a bacon sarnie at least lol

well i would`v happily used the black....as it was it was his suggestion....so who was I to say owt...lol...
i likes being rite me....

 

[GLENNSPARK]

I'd be interested in observing your discussion with Lord Cable on this topic at the forthcoming electrical event in Manchester.

depends if i can get a word in....
i might even make a dash for the podium......
ask him where he`s getting 100 ohms from on a TT....

 

[44ALLAN]

i must say 44allan you seem in the minority for using black as neutral..........

someone should do a forum poll , i bet al least 70% use grey for neutral.
;-)

Good call mate but I bet it's a majority of 'domestic' sparks your looking at and 'younger' guys(since the colour change) who can't remember red/yellow and blue as the 3 live/line colours and black as neutral?

edit
Or guys that have never worked on 3 phase even !

 

[Silly Sausage]

depends if i can get a word in....
i might even make a dash for the podium......
ask him where he`s getting 100 ohms from on a TT....

Just curl yer top lip at them mate, they'll be running for cover!
100ohms on TT?!?!?! That'll be far too technical for them, if I remember right from last year, they were just spouting answers to school boy questions. It was pathetic!