Changing colours

Major, one-off changes to cable standards are not a common occurrence. The last big adjustments were probably the move to metric conductors in 1969 or the changes to flexible cables' core colours in 1975. Other product changes have tended to be evolutionary, allowing plenty of time for the supply chain to adjust.

All that is about to change as plans for the European harmonisation of core colours for low voltage fixed wiring cables begin to be implemented.

Currently the UK has its own set of colours for phase and neutral identification, as do many other countries. But in the quest for international freedom of trade a need was identified for product harmonisation across the European market.

The changes will affect electrical contractors and installers, and virtually anyone who has to deal with low voltage cables. Acting now should help to avoid logistical headaches when the changeover begins in a little under 12 months.

By 2004 the new harmonised core colours in low voltage fixed wiring cables will be available on the UK market and by 2006 the change should be fully implemented across Europe.

The colour changes
The changes, which were ratified by Cenelec in May 2001 with a cut-off date for national implementation of April 2006, promise to ripple right through the supply chain.

Okay, April 2006 is still some three years away, which may seem a long time, but a change with such major effects on the supply chain will require substantial planning and education to ensure a smooth and trouble-free changeover. So what better time to start than now?

The new core colours will be:

• neutral will be blue – currently black;
  
• earth will remain green/ yellow;
  
• phase one will be brown – currently red;
  
• phase 2 will be black – currently yellow;
  
• phase 3 will be grey – currently blue.

So, for example, a flat wiring cable will have brown and blue cores instead of red and black. A four-core armoured cable will have brown, black, grey and blue cores instead of red, yellow, blue and black.

The effect in the UK
The change is particularly challenging in the UK because colours will assume new meanings. For example, blue – currently a phase colour – will denote neutral; whereas black – currently neutral – will denote a phase colour.

Additionally, more than 20 British standards for cables, plus the IEE Wiring Regulations (BS 7671) will need to be revised. No mean feat by anyone's standards.

Due to the importance and complexity of the task in hand, and to help advise the industry and public, a National Safety Umbrella Group (NSUG) has been set up.

The British Cables Association, Electrical Contractors' Association and Electrical Distributors Association have been invited to join the NSUG, which is operating under the following agreed terms of reference:

• to make recommendations on the implementation of Cenelec HD 308: S2 and associated standards that have to be amended as a consequence of its publication;
  
• to propose an amendment of BS 7671: 2001 to JPEL/64 to implement HD 308: S2 and HD 384.514;
  
• to co-ordinate the timescale in parallel with amendments to product standards;
  
• to recommend a co-ordinated policy on the education and training of the electrical contracting industry and its employees;
  
• to recommend, co-ordinate and where appropriate, solicit assistance (from, for example, the Government), in the preparation of awareness material on the change for the public and media.

The NSUG is working to a projected timescale, which foresees new cable standards, including the new core colours, becoming effective in the first quarter of 2004. At the same time, an amendment to the IEE Wiring Regulations (BS 7671) requiring installations to incorporate the new core colours would become effective in 2004, although the old colours would be allowable until January 2006.

UK cable manufacturers are currently working towards the introduction of the new core colours in 2004. Production of cables with the old core colours will cease at this time. This allows a period for stocks of the old colours to work their way through the supply chain before their use is no longer allowed.

There are also plans to amend BS 6004 and BS 7211 and rationalise sheath colours to ease the distinguishing of pvc and halogen-free, low smoke types. This will particularly affect flat wiring cables. The new sheath colours will be grey for pvc types and white for halogen-free, low smoke types.

Time waits for no-one and the changeover will soon be upon us. Many issues of stock control and dual stocking during the changeover period need to be addressed. The earlier that all those involved in the supply and usage chain start discussing and planning the changeover, the smoother it will be. Those who do not plan run the risk of being caught with unsaleable cable stock come 2006.

The main priority is for an integrated approach of all interested parties. The initiative of the NSUG is to be welcomed and we can only hope that it obtains the support that it needs and deserves.