MCB Colour coding

[Mrdjc]

Is there a standard for colour coding different ratings, or is it each manufacturer to their own?

I'm trying to make some diagrams of a CU and I can't seem to determine which colour goes with what rating.

Does anyone know of any standards?
Or is it just a case of picking one manufacturer and sticking with their scheme?

 

[GaryMo]

No, different colour codes from different manufacturers. No standard as such.

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

The old type re-wireable and fused cartridges used to and some of the dollys on the MCBs were also coloured but in general they don't colour code the MCB. Wylex were good at this.
Something like this:

6a, colour white, MCB

10a, colour grey, MCB

16a, colour blue, MCB

20a, colour yellow, MCB

32a, colour red, MCB

40a, colour orange, MCB

 

[GaryMo]

Contactum MCB's

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

Wylex Plug-ins

Untitled

• PrenticeBoyofDerry
• 4 Jun 2012
• 1

 

[Mrdjc]

Kanlux, glued together using photoshop

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• Mrdjc
• 4 Jun 2012
• 1

Their 45A and 63A ones are black.

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

So the answer to your questions are

Is there a standard for colour coding different ratings,

no!

or is it each manufacturer to their own?

seems that way!

Does anyone know of any standards?

there is not one!

Or is it just a case of picking one manufacturer and sticking with their scheme?

your choice!

 

[EFLImpudence]

There isn't really a need for colour coding, is there?

 

[RMS]

There isn't really a need for colour coding, is there?

For MCB's,

No.

 

[Mrdjc]

There isn't really a need for colour coding, is there?

Not really no, but, in my opinion, its a lot easier to see a colour and instantly know the rating of it, so if you see a "green" MCB you know it will most likely be powering a light circuit, and if you see a Red you know it will most likely be a dedicated circuit for a stand alone device exceeding 6KW. That kind of thing.

Just curious, that's all

Might try to make a table of different manufacturers for the wiki or something.

Thanks for your input all.

 

[vibrobullit407]

MCB's all have a rating printed on them and should be labeled at the consumer unit!

 

[RMS]

MCB's all have a rating printed on them and should be labeled at the consumer unit!

Don't think anybody is questioning that. Just if the colour coding is a requirement. Which it isn't.

 

[vibrobullit407]

MCB's all have a rating printed on them and should be labeled at the consumer unit!

Don't think anybody is questioning that. Just if the colour coding is a requirement. Which it isn't.

Totally agree, just giving a reason why it's not required!

 

[Taylortwocities]

IMO it looks cack.

And how many householders will look at a green handles MCB and think "oh, that must be a lighting circuit".
Most of them just push "it" up if "it" is down.

 

[Mrdjc]

You could argue that 3 phase installation colours don't matter which order they are in, as long as they can easily be seperately identified.
Yet it is written in standards that its L1 Brown L2 Black L3 Grey.

You could argue that potable water pipe doesn't need to be blue, or gas pipes don't need to be yellow, since they can have writing on the side what their use is.

It just makes life a little bit easier perhaps.