On 1 March 2011, Singapore's new cable colour code became mandatory. It brought local wiring in line with the international (IEC) colours used across Europe, and it applies to every new electrical installation and to every addition or alteration to an existing one.
The change was introduced by an amendment to SS CP 5:1998, the wiring code at the time. Its successor, SS 638, uses the same colours.
Single-phase
| Conductor | Old colour | New colour |
|---|---|---|
| Line | RedorYelloworBlue | Brown |
| Neutral | Black | Blue |
| Earth | Green-and-yellow | Green-and-yellow |
Three-phase
| Conductor | Old colour | New colour |
|---|---|---|
| Line 1 | Red | Brown |
| Line 2 | Yellow | Black |
| Line 3 | Blue | Grey |
| Neutral | Black | Blue |
| Earth | Green-and-yellow | Green-and-yellow |
How the change was phased in
- Before 1 March 2009: the old colours had to be used.
- 1 March 2009 to 28 February 2011: a 24-month transition, when either the old or the new colours could be used.
- From 1 March 2011: the new colours must be used.
Where old and new can be confused
Two colours swapped meaning. Black was the neutral and is now a line conductor (Line 2). Blue was a line conductor and is now the neutral. Never identify a conductor by colour alone. Have a Licensed Electrical Worker (LEW) verify it through appropriate testing.
Installations with both old and new colours
Where an installation contains both old and new colours, a caution notice must be fixed at or near the distribution board. It reads:
Need cables in the new colours for a project? Ask our team for a quote.
