Electrical code: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 23:50, 30 July 2025

Latest revision as of 05:46, 25 August 2025

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{{Short description|Set of electrical building wiring regulations}}

{{Electrical Wiring Sidebar}}

An '''electrical code''' is a term for a set of regulations for the design and installation of [[electrical wiring]] in a building. The intention of such regulations is to provide standards to ensure electrical wiring systems are safe for people and property, protecting them from [[Electrical injury|electrical shock]] and fire hazards. They are usually based on a model code (with or without local amendments) produced by a national or international standards organisation.

Such wiring is subject to rigorous safety standards for design and installation. [[Wire]]s and [[electrical cable]]s are specified according to the circuit operating [[voltage]] and [[electric current]] capability, with further restrictions on the environmental conditions, such as ambient temperature range, moisture levels, and exposure to sunlight and chemicals. Associated circuit protection, control and distribution devices within a building's wiring system are subject to voltage, current and functional specification. To ensure both wiring and associated devices are designed, selected and installed so that they are safe for use, they are subject to wiring safety codes or regulations, which vary by locality, country or region.

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* Australia and New Zealand{{efn|name=iecasnzs|Australian and New Zealand wiring standards allow both Australian and European color codes.}}

* Italy

| [[File:Color wire brown.svg|80px|Brown]] [[File:Color wire black.svg|80px|Black]] [[File:Color wire grey.svg|80px|Grey]]<ref>Switzerland before 2005 also red and white for phases.</ref>
'''Prohibited:''' [[File:Color wire green yellow prohibited.svg|80px|Green/Yellow]]

| [[File:Color wire light blue.svg|80px|Light Blue]]{{efn|Sweden allow the use of blue for other purposes in circuits without a neutral, for instance two-phase with ground.}}

[[File:Color wire blue.svg|80px|Dark Blue]]<ref>Switzerland blue or light&nbsp;blue for neutral conductors</ref>