In order for us to be able to use our lights and appliances we need to connect them to the main

power supply. We will discuss the different types of cables in this post and their typical
application.

The fixed wiring which runs through the walls/ceilings between the fixture and the power supply
is refereed to as “cable” whereas the wire used to connect portable appliances such as lamps etc.
to a wall socket is refereed to as “flex” or “flex cable”.

Cables are flat with curved sides and have 2-4 cores within them. Flex (flexible cable) is circular
with 2-3 cores within.

Cable cross sectional view

Flex cross sectional view

The separated copper wires inside the cable/flex are referred to as cores. Each of the cores
(except the earth core in cables) are covered in a color coded PVC insulation which provides
protection and allows easy identification. (A green and yellow insulating sleeve is pulled over
the exposed earth core during the installation of the cable) The cores are then all surrounded by a
final layer of PVC insulation, called a sheath, which is usually grey or white.
The colour of the cores was changed in March 2006 to align it with the requirements of the
European Union. The old colours were

Red –Live
Black – Neutral
These have been replaced with the following colours

Brown –Live
Blue – Neutral
It is important to remember that you will often see a mixture of the new and old style colour
coding in buildings of pre-2006 construction.

Cables come in different sizes, the size refers to the cross sectional area of the cores and this will
vary depending on the amount of current flowing through them. A cable with 2.5mm 2 cores is
typically used for power circuits and a cable with 1mm2 cores is typically used for lighting
circuits.

Single Phase Power cables: -

Two core and earth cable: This cable connects the consumer unit (fuse box) to the power outlet
sockets and carries the electricity to appliances which are plugged in to the circuit. The cable has
three cores, a live core, a neutral core and the earth core. The live and neutral cores are insulated
and carry the current to and from the outlet socket. The earth or earth continuity conductor
(ECC) is not insulated, except for the outer sheath, and provides a path for the current to flow to
ground should a fault develop.

Two core and earth cable –

new colours

Two core and earth cable –

old colours

Three core flex: This type of cable is used to connect appliances such as lamps or extension
cables to the power outlet sockets. The flex cable (flexible cord/cable) has three cores being
Live, Earth and Neutral. Each of the cores is insulated with a layer of colour coded PVC, all
three cores are then surrounded by an additional outer PVC layer known as the sheath.
 Three core flex

Two core flex: This type of cable is used to connect small appliances which are double insulated
and need no earth. The cable only has two cores being live and neutral. As this is flex cable it
will be of circular shape with an outer sheath and two colour coded PVC insulated cores.

Two core flex

Three Phase Power Cables: -

Three phase and neutral: typically you wouldn’t find three phase cables on domestic properties
unless they are extremely large, but you will commonly find these in industrial and high rise
buildings as they can supply much more power that a single phase cable. The three phase cables
are usually circular and contain 4 cores with 3 of these being live and 1 being neutral. Each of
the cores is covered in a colour coded PVC insulation and then grouped together and covered in
a layer known as the sheath (inner sheath) this is then surrounded by a layer of twisted
galvanised steel wire which has a dual purpose of providing armoured protection as well as
acting as the Circuit Protective Conductor (CPC). The armoured layer is then covered in an
additional layer of PVC insulation which protects the armour from rust.

Three phase and neutral cable

– new colour coding

Three phase and neutral cable

– old colour coding

The colour of the three phase cores was changed to align it with the requirements of the
European Union. The old colours were
Black – Neutral
Blue – Live(L3)
Yellow – Live(L2)
Red – Live (L1)
These have been replaced with the following colours

Blue – Neutral
Grey – Live(L3)
Black – Live(L2)
Brown – Live (L1)
It is important to remember that you will often see a mixture of the new and old style colour
coding in commercial and industrial buildings although there should be a warning sticker as well
as phase labeling.

Lighting Cables: -

Three core and earth cable: This type of cable is used for wiring two way light switches. The
cable consists of 4 cores with 1 being the neutral and the other three potentially being live
depending on the way the lighting circuit is designed and what position the switches are in. Each
of the cores (except the earth) is covered in a layer of colour coded PVC insulation to allow
identification, these cores are then covered in an outer layer of PVC known as the sheath.

Three core and earth cable

new colours

Three core and earth old

colours

Two core flex: This type of cable is used for wiring light fittings with plastic lamp holders
which do not require an earth. The cable only has two cores being live and neutral. As this is flex
cable it will be of circular shape with an outer sheath and two colour coded PVC insulated cores.