MIL-STD-681-SUP Identification Coding and Application of Hookup and Lead WireThis standard establishes identification coding systems for all insulated hookup and lead wire used in electrical and electronic equipment by the Departments of the Army, Navy, and Air Force. These coding systems should also be used for identifying lead wires on Hall generators and ac and dc wire coding methods specified see 4.9 and 4.10.

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MIL-STD-681F

TABLE III.  DC power color coding for chassis and interconnection wiring (optional method).

TABLE IV.  Color coding for ac power wiring (100 V and greater) for single and three phase systems.

1/  For all ac voltages below 100 V, gray wire is to be used, unless the optional color code is specified (see 2/).

2/  Optional wire color insulations for phases A, B, C, and neutral shall be as follows:

Phase A - Gray

Phase B - White/gray

Phase C - White/brown/gray

Neutral - White

5.  DETAIL REQUIREMENTS

5.1  System I - Differentiation color coding for wiring (see 1.2).

5.1.1  Standard color code for single wires.  Single conductor chassis wires to be coded for differentiation only shall

be identified by colors in table I, preferably in the order given.  All the combinations listed in table I are made up of the first 10 colors.

5.1.1.1  Method of color coding.  Color coding shall be accomplished by use of solid colored insulations, and by helical striping or circumferential banding on all-white insulation, in accordance with 5.7 except that system VI shall be used for circumferential banding (see 5.6).  Longitudinal (nonhelical) color striping may be used if colored

insulation material is used for striping.  Materials or paints used for helical striping or circumferential banding shall not be electrically conductive.

5.1.1.2  Identification numbers.  Identification numbers appearing in table I are a ready reference to color combinations.  The first digit indicates the background color (color of insulation or braid), and the succeeding digit or digits, if any, indicate the colors of the helical stripes or circumferential bands.  Therefore, the second and third digit indicates the color of the first and second stripe or band, respectively.

5.1.1.3  Color sequence of helical stripes or circumferential bands.  Where stripes or bands are used, the first stripe or band shall be of the color with the lowest identification number, the second with the next higher number, and the third with the highest number.

5.1.2  Harness wiring.  Unless the wiring is routed to the same terminal, two or more wires shall not be identically color coded if they break out of a harness and are routed in terminations in close proximity where they could be misconnected.

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