So you think we should have stuck with red/black/green? Colour code brain teaser!

[Geordie Spark]

nowt wrong with birkenhead that a couple of cwt. of semtex won't fix.

You think it should be twinned with Sunderland then?

It's a place I've been meaning to visit just to see for myself what it's like. I think the pub was in a street called Hope Street, but not sure now and I think they left there around the time of WW1

 

[Tiny Spark]

Well seen as the brain teaser has been answered ile just grumble.

Prefer the old colours.

Thats is all....

 

[Marvo]

FWIW my favourite was red/white/blue/black/green but I accept that the stripy earth is a good idea.

My sentiments as well. The harmonised phase colours are easy to mistake for each other in poor light.

 

[Geordie Spark]

Ok ... here's a little story that was told to me by an old spark who taught me all I know, but sadly not all HE knew !!

I'm not sure if the story is true as he was a bit of a wind-up merchant and I can't go back to ask him as he's been helping God to wire lightning bolts for many years now, so maybe some of the older hands her (Tel, Tony, Eng54?) will be able to advise?

Anyway, this old spark told me that until World War One, the phase colours were Red, Yellow and Blue, but at some point during that war it was decided to change them to Red, White and Blue because it was considered to be more patriotic and these colours were kept after the war ended - up until 1970 something when they were changed back to Red, Yellow and Blue.

So lads, is this true or was that old spark pulling my wotsit??

 

[Des 56]

So lads, is this true or was that old spark pulling my wotsit??

Now what is a wotsit?

Of course I know

I would say the answer has got to be Leg

 

[Geordie Spark]

So lads, is this true or was that old spark pulling my wotsit??

Now what is a wotsit?

Of course I know

I would say the answer has got to be Leg

That's exactly the answer to expect from a good chapel lad from the valleys.

 

[Lucien Nunes]

Don't quote me on this but I think your wotsit was being pulled. The phases were red/green/blue, which did not conflict with earth because on the rare occasions it was insulated that was brown. Sensible or what? Primary colours for phases and brown earth.

 

[Des 56]

It's been over 2 years since I last posted this bit of musing ​:sailor:



For homeowners that like to play around with the electrics and delve into the consumer unit
The mixed wiring colours notice on the mains board should read something along these lines


CONSUMER INFORMATION NOTICE

The 3 live conductors, coloured Red ,White, Blue, with the additional Black neutral and a Bare earth, may now have changed to Red Yellow Blue "note" the White is now coloured Yellow ,but the sequence remains,
Be also aware,yet another change means at present it may now be Brown Black Grey, with Blue neutral or a Grey that is oversleeved as Blue (which as replaced the Black for single phase, but remains as a live for 3 phase), although presently the Black is neutral for older systems, not forgetting the Green/Yellow which as superseded the Green

In order not to complicate the matter. but for reference, the bare earth that was Green and is now Green/Yellow, may in fact be Cream if you use a lot of IT eqipment
Other colours are not precluded, as long as coloured identification is used unless its single core which must be green/yellow

So put concisely
The live may be Brown, Red, White, Black, Grey, Yellow or Blue
The neutral may be Black,Blue or even Grey
However, colours for central heating control systems may be unfamiliar to you, So,


Be familiar with this information before attempting electrical work,or alternatively get an electrician in

 

[Geordie Spark]

Thanks Des for clarifying that for us. mg_smile::confused5: