Red & Black Flex: when was it phased out?

[Big_Nige]

Can someone settle an argument?

Does anyone remember when red and black coded mains flex (rather than cable) whas phased out in the UK? I say it was at least 30 years ago, my friend (who I think is getting confused with cable) says about 10 years ago.

 

[scotsparky]

i started my time in 89 and it wasnt there then so theres the last 20 years covered.

 

[electricAl]

They were certainly harmonised to the European colours by the early 80`s - perhaps even some years before that.

Your friend must be confused, in 2001 the UK agreed to adopt the Cenelec colour codes within 5 years - hence the big changeover in 2006 - can`t believe that was only 3 years ago!

 

[Dave]

This might help..>> Common domestic electric cable types used in the UK

 

[Mac]

Harmonised Cable Colour | A Guide To Electrical Wiring Colours

 

[Big_Nige]

They were certainly harmonised to the European colours by the early 80`s - perhaps even some years before that.

Thanks. So my stance that it was at least 30 years ago is not far off.

 

[Mac]

1969 mate.40 years ago.Nearly as old as me

 

[electricAl]

As early as that, Mac?

Figured it must have been the 70`s - the decade that style forgot.

What other decade would have come up with Brown & Blue - what a combination!

At least they didn`t choose Gingham for the earth colours

 

[Mac]

As early as that, Mac?

Figured it must have been the 70`s - the decade that style forgot.

What other decade would have come up with Brown & Blue - what a combination!

At least they didn`t choose Gingham for the earth colours

Gingham who mate.Got a link to website but having problems posting it.

 

[electricAl]

You`re an imposter aren`t you?

Anybody growing up the the 70` s would know what gingham was... wouldn`t they?!?

Me`s starting to suspect you`re really a spotty 17 yr old apprentice

 

[Mac]

You`re an imposter aren`t you?

Anybody growing up the the 70` s would know what gingham was... wouldn`t they?!?

Me`s starting to suspect you`re really a spotty 17 yr old apprentice

No mate i'm 41.Still don't know what a gingham is.Born 68 ,grew up in the 70s.Wasn't working thou.

 

[electricAl]

You`re a lot older than me then. I wasn`t born til the October. Makes me only 40

"Wasn`t working tho" - you slacker, i was sweeping chimneys by age 5

& i can`t quite bring meself to tell you what gingham was/is - wish i hadn`t mentioned it now

 

[Mac]

You`re a lot older than me then. I wasn`t born til the October. Makes me only 40

"Wasn`t working tho" - you slacker, i was sweeping chimneys by age 5

& i can`t quite bring meself to tell you what gingham was/is - wish i hadn`t mentioned it now

Just googled gingham and it came back with fabric.Will you enlighten me because i have never heard of it

 

[Big_Nige]

What other decade would have come up with Brown & Blue - what a combination!

It makes sense: earth is brown, yellow means danger (so is the live), blue is like water, neutral

 

[scotsparky]

It makes sense: earth is brown, yellow means danger (so is the live), blue is like water, neutral

Dont know about anyone else her and i haope i havent wired up flexes wrong but i have done them this way

Brown = Live
Blue = Neutral
Green Yellow = Earth

PLease tell me i am right or its 20 years of backtracking jobs to repair them

 

[electricAl]

It makes sense: earth is brown, yellow means danger (so is the live), blue is like water, neutral

Sorry mate but your worrying us all with your lack of technical knowledge.

You mean neutral should have transparent conductors don`t you?




& i wouldn`t worry Scotsparky, only do the ones you gave a cert for

 

[scotsparky]

that doesnt help worked on military sites for 10 years and had to cert everything Flight to the Falklands please

 

[Big_Nige]

PLease tell me i am right or its 20 years of backtracking jobs to repair them

Speaking of which...

When I was a kid, my dad could fix anything, or so I thought. He died about 15 years ago. Some weeks later I happened to open the plug on a table-lamp at my mum's: it had a 13A fuse.

I went through every plug in the house: 13A fuses in every single one!

Gingham who mate... Got a link to website but having problems posting it.

Gingham, as in the fabric that all the women wore in the 70s - especially Gingham smocks, so they all looked pregnant*. You do remember women?

If your link is about the wiring colour history, would love to see it. Could you have another go?

* As an aside, do you know that around 10% of all women between the ages of 20 and 35 are pregnant at this moment. Nothing to do with me of course.

 

[gunner]

the 1970,s

 

[Lou7]

I started my apprenticeship in '74 and I can't remember installing red & black flex, the closest was the old festoon cable that you screwed the lampholders on.