Identification of conductors according to HD 308

For all safety purposes, identifying the function of a wire or conductor in a live installation is vital.

Scope

The European Harmonised Document HD 308 S2 “Identification of cores in cables and flexible cords” applies to the identification of rigid and flexible cable conductors and conduits up to 1kV. 

The installation cables according to the Dutch construction standards and the harmonised cables follow this standardised colour code HD 308 S2.

HD 308 S2 applies for:

• electrical installations,
• distribution systems,
• the power supply of fixed or mobile current-using equipment and cords for portable equipment.

Not covered under HD 308 S2: 

• the internal circuitry of machines,
• cables for DC applications,
• circuits that not only power machines
• overhead lines.

Colour = function

• Green/Yellow is for the protective conductor or earthing
• Blue is for the neutral conductor
• Brown, black and grey for the current-carrying or “live” conductors

Order of the colours

The order of the colours is as follows: