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Color Codes - ICEA Methods

ICEA/NEMA Method 1
Colored insulation with contrasting ink tracers as required. Six different insulation colors and four different
colored ink tracers are used to provide positive identification through 21 conductors. The same
identification sequence is repeated for cables containing more than 21 conductors.

ICEA/NEMA Method 2
A neutral colored compound is used with single or double spiral ink tracers as required to provide positive
identification through 21 conductors. The identification sequence is repeated for cables containing more
than 21 conductors.

ICEA/NEMA Method 3
A neutral or single colored insulation compound is surface ink printed with both conductor number and
color designation to provide positive identification through 21 conductors. The identification sequence is
repeated for colors containing more than 21 conductors.

ICEA/NEMA Method 4
A neutral or single colored insulation compound is surface ink printed with conductor to provide positive
conductor identification through 21 conductors. The identification sequence is repeated for cables
containing more than 21 conductors.

ICEA/NEMA Method 5
A color coding using braids. Also sometimes specified using colored insulation and contrasting tracers
as an extension of Method 1 to eliminate duplicate conductor. Up to 127 positive conductor codings are
available with this method.

Note:
UL and NEC restricts use of green and white as stripes. Special color codes are available to meet these
requirements. Method K-2 which is similar to Method 1 and ICEA Method K-4 which is similar to
Method 2.