Vintage wiring colour conventions?? - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Al (astral highway) · 27th Dec 2007, 9:01 am

In the past I haven't given any attention to the colour of replacement wiring that I've put in place. But for a 50% rebuild I'm doing (slowly) at the moment, I'd like to stick to the original convention used, wherever possible.

My only problem is, of course, is this is a recent decision and I've already chopped out a lot of the wires I'm going to be replacing.

Does anyone please have a reference source for vintage wiring conventions?

UK, US and military, if different, would be very interesting, for comparison.

Thanks folks.

KEITHW · 27th Dec 2007, 10:15 am

Hi Al,

this thread from the past should help.

https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...ht=wire+colour

Keith

geofy · 27th Dec 2007, 2:08 pm

A lot of military wiring I did was just a rather fetching shade of pink which then had various coloured markers with corresponding numbers or letters placed on each wire before cable forming and terminating. Other conventions where to use white wire with a colour spiral or dotted spiral of one or two colours running through it, I even had to use a paint machine, great fun, to make my own spools of wire. This was the conventional resistor colour coding for the numbers.

Geof

Skywave · 28th Dec 2007, 11:45 am

Hi Astral -

I'm more familiar with colour-coding for USA-designed equipment than UK - so the below may help:

I.F. Transformers.
Blue = Anode lead.
Red = HT +
Green = Grid or diode lead.
Black or White = Grid or diode return.
Centre – tapped IFTs:
green + black stripe or violet = second diode anode lead.
black = centre-tap.

A.F. Transformers.
Blue = anode (finish) lead of primary.
Red = HT + (single winding or centre-tapped).
Brown = Anode (start) on centre-tapped primaries.
Green = Grid (finish) lead to secondary.
Black = Grid return (single winding or centre-tapped).
Yellow = Grid (start) lead on centre-tapped primaries.

Power (Mains) Transformers.
Black = Primary winding.
If tapped :
Black = Common / Start.
Black + Yellow Stripe = Tap.
Black + Red Stripe = Finish.

Red = HV winding.
Red + Yellow Stripe = HV wndng. centre tap.

Yellow = Rectifier filament / heater.
Yellow + Blue Stripe = Centre Tap.

Green = Heater Winding #1.
Green + Yellow Stripe = Centre Tap.

Brown = Heater winding #2.
Brown + Yellow Stripe = Centre Tap.

Grey = Heater Winding #3.
Grey + Yellow Stripe = Centre Tap.

(N.B “Grey” is commonly called “Slate” in USA literature).

Source: ARRL Handbook, 1964

Al / Skywave.

Nickthedentist · 28th Dec 2007, 12:07 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skywave

N.B “Grey” is commonly called “Slate” in USA literature

"Slate" is used in British GPO literature too, I think.

Nick.

28th Dec 2007, 11:45 am	#4
Skywave Rest in Peace Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Chard, South Somerset, UK. Posts: 7,457	Re: Vintage wiring colour conventions?? Hi Astral - I'm more familiar with colour-coding for USA-designed equipment than UK - so the below may help: I.F. Transformers. Blue = Anode lead. Red = HT + Green = Grid or diode lead. Black or White = Grid or diode return. Centre – tapped IFTs: green + black stripe or violet = second diode anode lead. black = centre-tap. A.F. Transformers. Blue = anode (finish) lead of primary. Red = HT + (single winding or centre-tapped). Brown = Anode (start) on centre-tapped primaries. Green = Grid (finish) lead to secondary. Black = Grid return (single winding or centre-tapped). Yellow = Grid (start) lead on centre-tapped primaries. Power (Mains) Transformers. Black = Primary winding. If tapped : Black = Common / Start. Black + Yellow Stripe = Tap. Black + Red Stripe = Finish. Red = HV winding. Red + Yellow Stripe = HV wndng. centre tap. Yellow = Rectifier filament / heater. Yellow + Blue Stripe = Centre Tap. Green = Heater Winding #1. Green + Yellow Stripe = Centre Tap. Brown = Heater winding #2. Brown + Yellow Stripe = Centre Tap. Grey = Heater Winding #3. Grey + Yellow Stripe = Centre Tap. (N.B “Grey” is commonly called “Slate” in USA literature). Source: ARRL Handbook, 1964 Al / Skywave. Last edited by Skywave; 28th Dec 2007 at 11:49 am. Reason: Add source of data

27th Dec 2007, 9:01 am	#1
Al (astral highway) Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: London, UK. Posts: 3,496	Vintage wiring colour conventions?? In the past I haven't given any attention to the colour of replacement wiring that I've put in place. But for a 50% rebuild I'm doing (slowly) at the moment, I'd like to stick to the original convention used, wherever possible. My only problem is, of course, is this is a recent decision and I've already chopped out a lot of the wires I'm going to be replacing. Does anyone please have a reference source for vintage wiring conventions? UK, US and military, if different, would be very interesting, for comparison. Thanks folks. __________________ Al

27th Dec 2007, 10:15 am	#2
KEITHW Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Pocklington, East Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 171	Re: Vintage wiring colour conventions?? Hi Al, this thread from the past should help. https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...ht=wire+colour Keith

27th Dec 2007, 2:08 pm	#3
geofy Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 1,798	Re: Vintage wiring colour conventions?? A lot of military wiring I did was just a rather fetching shade of pink which then had various coloured markers with corresponding numbers or letters placed on each wire before cable forming and terminating. Other conventions where to use white wire with a colour spiral or dotted spiral of one or two colours running through it, I even had to use a paint machine, great fun, to make my own spools of wire. This was the conventional resistor colour coding for the numbers. Geof