"Mike Harrison" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 17 Oct 2004 19:51:42 +0100, "Vortex"
wrote:

Can anybody explain why it took (IIRC) about 30 years for the "standard"
colours for fixed wiring to be harmonised with those for flexible wiring.

Why did this not happen a long time ago?
Because it is & was absolutely unnecessary.
There is some sense in unifying colours for portable equipment across
Europe etc., but none
whatsoever for fixed wiring.
It's only being done now as a sly way to help enforce the new building
regs stuff.
The changes they are also bringing in for 3-phase are truly insane and
will almost certainly kill
someone eventually.

Don't forget that apparently "the industry" is welcoming the colour change
because it helps colour blind electricians. I read an article about this in
some IEE mag a couple of months ago and this was the main reason they
mentioned. They completely forgot to mention the "sly enforcement" part of
it.

Stock up on those traditional red/black T&E reels now!

Regards,
Simon.