ABYC Color Code Standards
Modern boats are have complex systems that often span great distances. Wires travel in hidden compartments often bundled with many other wires. These challenges make tracing a wire on a boat a serious task.
The use of the A.B.Y.C. Color Code Standards attempts to help wire identification simple. The American Boat and Yacht Council system is a standard used by most boat builders. Knowing these color standards makes troubleshooting electrical systems more efficient.
How it works.
On Boats, specific color wire get used in specific systems. For example, Pink Wire is for a Fuel Gauge Sender to Gauge.
| COLOR | PACER COLOR CODE | PACER STRIPE CODE | ITEM | USE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black | BK | 0 | Ground | Negative / Neutral Main Return |
| Brown | BR | -1 | Alternator Charge Light Generator Armature Pumps |
Generator Terminal or Alternator Auxilliary Terminal to Regulator Generator Armature to Regulator Circuit Breaker or Switch to Pumps |
| Red | RD | -2 | Instrument Feed Power Feeds |
Distribution Panel to Electrical Instruments Positive Main Power (particularly un-fused) |
| Orange | OR | -3 | Accessory Feed Common Feed Feed |
Ammeter to Alternator or Generator Distribution Panel to Accessory Switch Accessory Circuit Breakers or Switches |
| Yellow | YL | -4 | Generator Field Ground |
Generator to Regulator Field Terminal Negative / Neutral Main Return |
| Green | GN | -5 | Bonding System | Grounding Wires (if insulated) |
| Lt. Green | LG | -15 | N/A | N/A |
| Blue | BL | -6 | Cabin & Instrument Lights |
Fuse or Switch to Lights |
| Lt. Blue | LB | -16 | Oil Pressure | Oil Pressure to Sender to Gauge |
| Violet | VI | -7 | Ignition Instrument Feed |
Ignition Switch to Coil & Electrical Instrument Distribution Panel Electrical Instruments |
| Grey | GY | -8 | Navigation Lights Tachometer |
Circuit Breaker or Switch to Lights Tachometer Sender to Gauge |
| White | WH | -9 | N/A | N/A |
| Tan | TN | -11 | Water Temperature | Water Temperature Sender to Gauge |
| Pink | PK | -12 | Fuel Gauge | Fuel Gauge Sender to Gauge |