Recent updates to BS 7671:2018+A2 have introduced an important change for anyone involved in electrical installations: functional earth conductors must now be clearly identified using pink PVC sleeving.
This update isn’t just for aesthetics; it’s a critical safety enhancement. By ensuring functional earths are visually and unmistakably distinct from other conductors, the change helps to reduce the risk of misconnection, improve on-site clarity, and ultimately protect both people and systems.
What’s Changed and Why?
In the past, the colour coding of functional earth (FE) conductors lacked consistency, particularly in applications like fire detection and alarm systems. Often, FE cables were incorrectly identified using green and yellow sleeving, the same as protective earth (PE) conductors. This introduced a real risk of misidentification and miswiring, especially in complex or high-pressure installation environments.
To solve this, BS 7671:2018+A2 now mandates pink sleeving for functional earth conductors. The goal? Clear, reliable identification that ensures FE conductors are never confused with protective earth or other wiring.
Why This Matters
1. Improved Safety
Clear identification of functional and protective conductors significantly reduces the chance of misconnection—helping to prevent overheating, equipment faults, or even system failure. In fire alarm installations, for example, an incorrectly connected FE can compromise performance and put lives at risk.
2. Enhanced System Reliability
Functional earths play a key role in systems such as:
• Fire detection and fire alarm systems (BS 5839-1)
• EMC-sensitive equipment
• Signal reference systems
Incorrect terminations in these applications can lead to false alarms, degraded system performance, or critical failures. Pink sleeving helps prevent these issues by making FE conductors instantly recognisable.
3. Alignment with Best Practice
This update aligns UK regulations with international standards, such as IEC 60445, supporting clearer, more consistent wiring practices—especially important in modern installations with plug-and-play designs and modular systems.
Compliance Meets Confidence
Adopting pink PVC sleeving for functional earth conductors isn’t just about ticking a regulatory box—it’s about demonstrating a commitment to quality, safety, and professionalism. Getting the details right avoids costly mistakes, improves project outcomes, and protects your reputation.
As the only UK manufacturer of this newly specified pink PVC sleeving, we’re proud to support the industry with a high-quality, regulation-compliant solution—available in a range of sizes, supplied in coils or reels to suit your project needs.
Referenced Standards
• BS 7671:2018+A2 – IET Wiring Regulations (18th Edition) (BS 5839-1)
• BS 5839-1 – Fire Detection and Alarm Systems for Buildings
• IEC 60445 – Safety Principles for Marking and Identification
Summary
The introduction of pink sleeving for functional earth conductors was driven by the need to:
• Improve safety and reduce wiring errors
• Ensure system reliability, especially in sensitive installations
• Clarify colour coding in fire alarm systems
• Align UK practice with international standards
If you’re installing or maintaining systems covered by BS 7671 or BS 5839-1, don’t leave identification to chance. With pink sleeving now a mandatory requirement, it’s time to make the switch—and we’re here to help you do it right.
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