Belden uses a consistent jacket color system across its cable product families to help installers, engineers, and purchasing teams visually identify cable type, fire rating, and intended environment at a glance. While the printed markings on a cable jacket — including part number, UL listing, and NEC rating — are always the authoritative source for cable identification, Belden’s outer jacket color conventions provide a fast visual reference that speeds up warehouse picking, job-site installation, and cable tray management. This guide covers Belden’s outer jacket color conventions across networking, industrial, broadcast, and fiber optic cable families, along with the Belden conductor color code charts used for internal wire identification in multiconductor and multipair cables.
Why Does Cable Jacket Color Matter?
Cable jacket color serves two practical functions: visual identification and administrative compliance. On a job site with dozens of cable reels, a quick glance at jacket color tells an installer whether they are pulling plenum-rated cable, riser-rated cable, or outdoor-rated cable — before checking the print legend. In cable trays and structured cabling systems, consistent jacket color helps network administrators trace circuits, verify installation against design drawings, and maintain organized infrastructure over the life of the building.
Industry standards like TIA-606-C (Administration Standard for Telecommunications Infrastructure) recommend specific jacket colors for different cabling functions in structured cabling systems. While these recommendations are not mandatory, many specifications and corporate standards adopt them to maintain consistency across campuses and facilities.
Important: Jacket color alone never determines a cable’s rating or specification. Always verify the cable’s NEC type designation (CMP, CMR, CM, etc.), UL listing, and part number from the printed jacket markings before installation.
Belden Networking Cable Jacket Colors
Belden’s structured cabling product lines — including DataTwist®, REVConnect®, and 10GX® families — use outer jacket color to help differentiate cable ratings and applications. While many Belden networking cables are available in multiple jacket colors as ordering options, the following conventions are commonly associated with specific ratings and environments.
| Jacket Color | Common Association | Typical Belden Examples | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue | Horizontal cabling (often CMR) | 2412 (Cat6+ CMR), 1872A (Cat6 CMR), 1700A (Cat5e CMR) | TIA-606 designates blue for horizontal workstation drops; most horizontal cables happen to be CMR, but the color indicates function, not fire rating |
| White | Plenum-rated (CMP) | 2413 (Cat6+ CMP), 1874A (Cat6 CMP), 1585A (Cat5e CMP) | White Flamarrest® jacket is Belden’s standard plenum jacket material for networking cables |
| Black | Outdoor / UV-resistant / direct burial | 7937A (Cat5e OSP), DOSP6F (Cat6 OSP shielded) | Black jacket with UV-stabilized compounds for exterior installations; may include gel fill or dry-block for moisture protection |
| Gray | General-purpose PVC; also used for some plenum cables | 1872A (Cat6 CMR gray option), 2413 (Cat6+ CMP gray option) | Common in commercial installations; some Belden plenum cables ship in gray Flamarrest® |
| Green | Network connections / crossover cables | 2413 (Cat6+ CMP green option) | TIA-606 designates green for network connections to hubs, switches, and routers |
| Yellow | PoE circuits / auxiliary / alarm circuits | Available as ordering option on select Belden SKUs | TIA-606 designates yellow for auxiliary circuits, alarms, and security; IEEE associates yellow with PoE |
| Orange | Demarcation point / entrance facility | Available as ordering option on select Belden SKUs | TIA-606 designates orange for the demarcation point where service provider cabling meets building cabling |
| Red | Key telephone / critical circuits | Available as ordering option on select Belden SKUs | TIA-606 designates red for key telephone systems and critical infrastructure circuits |
| Purple | Common equipment connections | Available as ordering option on select Belden SKUs | TIA-606 designates purple for connections to PBX, LANs, multiplexers, and shared equipment |
Important Note on Belden Color Ordering
Many Belden networking cables are available in multiple jacket colors using a color suffix in the part number. For example, Belden 2413 (Cat6+ CMP) is available with suffix codes for blue, white, gray, green, red, and other colors. The jacket color does not change the cable’s electrical specifications, fire rating, or UL listing — it is a visual identification option only. Always confirm the NEC rating (CMP, CMR, CM, CMG, CMX) from the printed cable jacket, not from the color.
What Is TIA-606 and How Does It Relate to Jacket Color?
TIA-606-C (Administration Standard for Telecommunications Infrastructure) is the industry standard that provides recommendations for color-coding patch cords, cable jackets, and labeling in structured cabling systems. While TIA-606 does not mandate specific colors, its recommendations are widely adopted in commercial, institutional, and government specifications.
| TIA-606 Color | Recommended Use | Typical Application |
|---|---|---|
| Blue | Horizontal cabling | Workstation drops from patch panel to wall jack |
| White | First-level backbone | Riser cabling between floors within a building |
| Gray | Second-level backbone | Inter-building backbone between adjacent structures |
| Brown | Inter-building backbone | Campus backbone between buildings |
| Orange | Demarcation point | Entrance facility where service provider meets building |
| Green | Network connections | Connections to switches, hubs, routers, servers |
| Purple | Common equipment | Connections to PBX, LANs, multiplexers, shared systems |
| Yellow | Auxiliary / alarms / security | PoE circuits, alarm circuits, security camera feeds |
| Red | Key telephone | Key telephone systems and critical voice circuits |
Many organizations adopt TIA-606 color assignments in their cable plant design specifications. When a spec calls for “blue horizontal cabling,” it typically means riser-rated (CMR) cable in a blue jacket for standard workstation drops — which is exactly how Belden’s default catalog is structured.
Belden Industrial Cable Jacket Colors
Belden’s industrial cable product lines — including multi-conductor, instrumentation, tray cable, and Industrial Ethernet — follow different jacket color conventions than networking cables. In industrial environments, jacket color often reflects the jacket material, chemical resistance rating, or intended installation environment rather than an administrative color code.
| Jacket Color | Common Association | Typical Belden Families | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gray PVC | General-purpose multiconductor, control cable | 8770 series, 9770 series, 5500 series | Standard PVC jacket for indoor industrial environments; Belden’s most common industrial cable color |
| Chrome (Silver-Gray) | Commonly used on shielded multiconductor and foil-shielded pairs, but not exclusive to shielded cables | 8723 (multipair shielded), 9842 (Industrial Ethernet) | Chrome PVC is often used to visually distinguish shielded cables from unshielded gray PVC cables in the same tray, though some unshielded Belden products also use chrome jackets |
| Black | Outdoor, direct burial, UV-resistant, LSZH | Various OSP-rated cables, LSZH industrial cables | Black compounds provide UV resistance for outdoor installations; also used for some LSZH (Low Smoke Zero Halogen) variants |
| Orange | Plenum-rated industrial, Flamarrest® | Some plenum-rated tray cable and instrumentation cable | Orange Flamarrest® PVC is used for some CMP-rated industrial cables |
| Blue | Industrial Ethernet, EtherNet/IP | 7920A (Cat5e Industrial Ethernet), DataTuff® series | Blue identifies Industrial Ethernet in some Belden product lines; aligns with ODVA EtherNet/IP color convention |
| Teal (Blue-Green) | PROFINET Industrial Ethernet | Belden PROFINET cables | PROFINET specification recommends teal/green outer jacket for PROFINET cables |
| Yellow | Portable cord, temporary power | Some portable cord and stage lighting cables | Yellow jacket indicates temporary / portable power in industrial settings per NEC convention |
Why Does Belden Use a Chrome (Silver-Gray) Jacket?
Belden’s chrome PVC jacket (suffix 060) is one of the most recognizable jacket colors in the industrial cable market. It was originally introduced to provide a quick visual distinction between shielded and unshielded cables in large cable trays where dozens of gray-jacketed control cables run side by side. In a tray full of standard gray PVC cables, a chrome jacket immediately signals to an installer or maintenance technician that the cable is likely a shielded variant — saving time during troubleshooting, retermination, or system expansion. While chrome is most commonly associated with shielded products like the 8723 (multipair shielded), 9841 (RS-485/PROFIBUS), and 9842 (Industrial Ethernet), it is not exclusive to shielded cables. Always verify shielding from the cable’s printed markings or datasheet rather than relying on jacket color alone.
Belden Fiber Optic Cable Jacket Colors (TIA-598-D)
Unlike copper cables, fiber optic jacket colors follow a well-defined industry standard: TIA-598-D. This standard assigns specific jacket colors to each fiber type, making visual identification reliable and consistent across manufacturers — including Belden’s FiberExpress® and FX product families.
| Jacket Color | Fiber Type | Core/Cladding | Typical Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yellow | Single-mode OS1 / OS2 | 9/125 μm | Long-distance backbone, campus backbone, WAN, FTTH |
| Orange | Multimode OM1 / OM2 | 62.5/125 μm (OM1) or 50/125 μm (OM2) | Legacy LAN, short-distance multimode links |
| Aqua | Multimode OM3 / OM4 (laser-optimized) | 50/125 μm | 10G, 40G, 100G data center and backbone links |
| Lime Green | Multimode OM5 (wideband) | 50/125 μm | Short-wavelength division multiplexing (SWDM), next-gen data centers |
| Blue | Polarization-maintaining single-mode | 9/125 μm | Specialty fiber for interferometric sensors and telecom |
TIA-598-D jacket color coding is the most reliable color-based identification system in the cable industry. When you see a yellow fiber patch cord in a Belden fiber panel, it is single-mode OS2. When you see aqua, it is laser-optimized OM3 or OM4. This color convention is followed by virtually all major manufacturers and is the closest thing to a universal standard in the cable industry.
How Jacket Material Affects Color
The outer jacket color is partly determined by the jacket compound. Different materials have different pigmentation capabilities, and some Belden jacket materials are associated with specific colors by convention.
| Jacket Material | Typical Color(s) | NEC Ratings | Key Properties |
|---|---|---|---|
| PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) | Gray, blue, black, and various custom colors | CM, CMR, CMG | Low cost, flexible, wide color range; most common general-purpose jacket |
| Flamarrest® PVC | White, gray, orange | CMP (plenum) | Belden’s proprietary low-smoke PVC compound for plenum installations; meets UL 910 |
| FEP (Fluorinated Ethylene Propylene) | Natural (translucent), white | CMP (plenum) | High-temperature plenum jacket; used in demanding plenum environments |
| LSZH (Low Smoke Zero Halogen) | Black, gray, blue | Various (non-NEC, IEC 60332) | Required in many international installations, transit systems, marine; low toxicity in fire |
| PE (Polyethylene) | Black | Outdoor / OSP | UV-resistant, moisture-resistant; standard for outdoor and direct-burial cables |
| TPE (Thermoplastic Elastomer) | Black, blue, orange | Various | Flexible, oil-resistant; used in robotic and continuous-flex industrial cables |
| PUR (Polyurethane) | Black, orange, teal | Various | Excellent abrasion and chemical resistance; used in harsh industrial environments |
Belden Conductor Color Code Charts (Internal Wire Identification)
Separate from the outer jacket color, Belden uses standardized conductor color code charts to identify individual wires inside multiconductor and multipair cables. These charts determine which color each conductor receives based on its position number within the cable. Belden publishes multiple charts, each corresponding to a different industry standard or cable family.
Chart 1 — Multiconductor Cables (Belden Standard)
Chart 1 is Belden’s primary conductor color code for multiconductor cables. It is used on most Belden control cables, audio cables, and general-purpose multiconductor products. For cables with more than 12 conductors, the color sequence repeats with a white tracer stripe on each conductor in the second group of 12.
| Conductor | Color | Conductor | Color |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Black | 7 | Orange |
| 2 | White | 8 | Yellow |
| 3 | Red | 9 | Purple (Violet) |
| 4 | Green | 10 | Gray |
| 5 | Brown | 11 | Pink |
| 6 | Blue | 12 | Tan (Light Brown) |
For cables with 13–24 conductors, conductors 13–24 repeat the same color sequence with a white tracer (stripe) added to each conductor for differentiation. Cables with 25+ conductors continue the pattern with additional tracer colors.
Chart 2 — ICEA Method 1, Table E2
Chart 2 follows the ICEA (Insulated Cable Engineers Association) standard for multiconductor identification. This chart uses base colors for the first five conductors, then introduces tracer (stripe) combinations for conductors 6 and beyond. It is common on power-limited tray cable (PLTC) and some industrial control cables.
| Conductor | Color | Conductor | Color |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Black | 7 | White/Red |
| 2 | White | 8 | White/Green |
| 3 | Red | 9 | White/Orange |
| 4 | Green | 10 | White/Blue |
| 5 | Orange | 11 | Red/Black |
| 6 | Blue | 12 | Red/White |
The ICEA method uses a base-color/tracer-color naming convention. “White/Red” means a white conductor with a red stripe. This system allows identification of up to 49+ conductors without repeating any color combination.
Chart 3 — Paired Cables (Belden Standard)
Chart 3 is used for Belden multipair cables, including instrumentation cables, audio snakes, and multipair control cables. Each pair consists of two specific colors, and the pair grouping provides identification.
| Pair | Conductor A | Conductor B |
|---|---|---|
| Pair 1 | Black | White |
| Pair 2 | Red | Green |
| Pair 3 | Orange | Blue |
| Pair 4 | Brown | Yellow |
| Pair 5 | Purple (Violet) | Gray |
| Pair 6 | Pink | Tan |
For multipair cables with more than six pairs, the color sequence repeats with a tracer stripe (usually white or red) added to each conductor in the subsequent group of six pairs. This allows identification of up to 50+ pairs in large instrumentation cables like the Belden 9773 (25-pair) and similar multi-pair products.
Chart 5 — 25-Pair Telco Standard (Western Electric / TIA-568)
Chart 5 follows the classic 25-pair telephone color code originally developed by Western Electric and now standardized under TIA-568. This chart is used for Belden telephone cables, 25-pair backbone cables, and punchdown cables. Each pair consists of a tip conductor and a ring conductor identified by two-color combinations.
| Pair Group | Tip (Base) | Ring Colors (1–5) |
|---|---|---|
| 1–5 | White | Blue, Orange, Green, Brown, Slate |
| 6–10 | Red | Blue, Orange, Green, Brown, Slate |
| 11–15 | Black | Blue, Orange, Green, Brown, Slate |
| 16–20 | Yellow | Blue, Orange, Green, Brown, Slate |
| 21–25 | Violet | Blue, Orange, Green, Brown, Slate |
Each pair is identified by combining the tip base color with the ring color. Pair 1 = White/Blue. Pair 7 = Red/Orange. Pair 13 = Black/Green. This system identifies all 25 pairs in a standard binder group and scales to 600+ pair cables by using binder ribbons to mark groups of 25.
Chart 8 — DataTwist® Networking Cables (TIA-568 Pair Colors)
Chart 8 applies to Belden DataTwist® and other Category-rated networking cables (Cat5e, Cat6, Cat6A). This chart follows the standard TIA-568 pair color code used for all structured cabling worldwide.
| Pair | Conductor 1 (Tip) | Conductor 2 (Ring) |
|---|---|---|
| Pair 1 | White/Blue stripe | Blue |
| Pair 2 | White/Orange stripe | Orange |
| Pair 3 | White/Green stripe | Green |
| Pair 4 | White/Brown stripe | Brown |
These are the pair colors inside every Belden Cat5e and Cat6 cable, following the universal TIA-568 standard. When terminating to RJ45 jacks or patch panels using T568A or T568B wiring standards, these pair colors determine the pin assignments.
How to Read Belden Cable Jacket Markings
The printed text on a Belden cable jacket is the definitive source for cable identification — not the jacket color. Belden prints a repeating legend on every cable jacket that includes the following information:
| Marking Element | What It Tells You | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Cable manufacturer name | BELDEN |
| Part Number | Belden catalog number | 2413 |
| NEC Type | Fire rating per NEC | CMP, CMR, CM, PLTC, ITC, TC |
| UL Listing | UL file number and listing mark | (UL) E188630 |
| Category Rating | Performance category (networking cables) | CAT6, CAT6A, CAT5E |
| Conductor Info | AWG size and conductor count | 23AWG 4PR |
| Voltage Rating | Maximum rated voltage | 300V, 600V |
| Sequential Footage | Running footage marking for pull measurement | 00452 (452 feet from start) |
| ETL/Verified | Third-party verification of performance claims | ETL VERIFIED |
When identifying a cable in the field, always check the print legend first. A blue-jacketed cable could be CMR riser or CMP plenum depending on the specific Belden model — the color is a clue, but the printed rating is the authority.
Common Mistakes with Cable Jacket Color Identification
Assuming jacket color equals fire rating
The most frequent mistake is assuming that all white or gray cables are plenum-rated or that all blue cables are riser-rated. While Belden’s default catalog follows this convention for networking cables, the same color can appear on cables with different ratings. Example: Belden 2413 (Cat6+ CMP plenum) is available in blue, white, gray, and green — all are CMP-rated regardless of color. Meanwhile, Belden 2412 (Cat6+ CMR riser) is also available in blue. A blue cable on a reel could be either CMP or CMR — only the print legend confirms which.
Mixing up fiber optic color standards with copper
In fiber optic cabling, jacket color IS a reliable indicator of fiber type per TIA-598-D (yellow = single-mode, aqua = OM3/OM4). Applying this same trust to copper jacket colors is a mistake. Copper cable jacket color is a convention, not a standard — except for specific protocols like PROFINET (teal jacket).
Ignoring jacket color entirely in cable management
While jacket color should not be used as the sole identification method, ignoring color conventions during procurement leads to cable trays where every cable is the same color, making troubleshooting and future moves/adds/changes significantly more difficult. Specifying jacket colors per TIA-606 during the design phase pays dividends over the life of the installation.
Using non-standard colors without documentation
Ordering custom jacket colors for special circuits (such as red for fire alarm feeds or yellow for PoE runs) is good practice — but only if documented in the project’s cable color schedule. Undocumented custom colors create confusion for future technicians who inherit the cable plant.
Belden Part Number Color Suffixes
Belden identifies jacket color in the part number using a suffix code after the base part number. When ordering, this suffix determines the jacket color shipped. The suffix is typically a three-digit numeric code for standard colors, but specialty designations use alphanumeric codes for specific product families.
How to Read a Belden Part Number with Jacket Code
Belden part numbers follow the structure: [Base Part Number] [Jacket Color Code] [Optional Put-Up / Length]. For example: 88760 0021000 = base 88760, jacket 002 (Red), put-up 1000 ft. Another example: 1505A N3U = base 1505A, jacket N3U (Mil Green). Always include the jacket code when ordering — omitting the suffix may result in the distributor shipping a default color (commonly black or white depending on the product family).
Standard Numeric Jacket Color Codes
Numeric codes are the most common jacket suffixes used across Belden copper product lines for project cable identification, separating systems within shared pathways (racks, trays, conduits), and maintaining consistency across multi-phase installs and service expansions.
| Suffix | Jacket Color | Example Belden Part Numbers |
|---|---|---|
| 001 | Brown | 8408 001, 1505A 001, 1695A 001 |
| 002 | Red | 88760 002, 88723 002, 83706 002 |
| 003 | Orange | 1583A 003, 1585A 003, 3077F 003 |
| 004 | Yellow | 1012A 004, 3112A 004, 83010 004 |
| 005 | Green | 10GX13 005, 2413F 005, 83007 005 |
| 006 | Blue | 1030A 006, 10GX62F 006, 89463 006 |
| 007 | Violet (Purple) | 9463 007, 3079A 007, 1506A 007 |
| 008 | Gray | 10GX63F 008, 88106 008, 5101FE 008 |
| 009 | White | 2413F 009, 83009 009, 83267 009 |
| 010 | Black | 1000A 010, 1212A 010, 29502 010 |
| 011 | Tan | 8521 011 |
| 012 | Pink | 10GX63F 012 |
| 060 | Chrome (Silver-Gray) | 9842 060, 8105 060, 8168 060 |
Specialty Jacket Color Codes
Specialty designations use alphanumeric codes and appear on specific product families. They are commonly used for aesthetic requirements, undyed compounds, military specifications, or product differentiation. If a job spec calls for a specialty jacket suffix, do not substitute another “similar-looking” color code without confirming compliance for that project.
| Suffix | Jacket Color | Example Belden Part Numbers | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 877 | Natural (Undyed) | 82489 877, 82723 877, 6441FE 877 | Undyed jacket compound; used where color additives are restricted or unnecessary |
| N3U | Mil Green | 1505A N3U, 7988P N3U, 9451P N3U | Military specification green; common on coax and audio cables for defense applications |
| D15 | Blue | 10GX33 D15, 1652A D15, 7852A D15 | Alternate blue designation used in specific product families |
| J22 | Strong Blue | 121700R J22, 9463 J22, 9463F J22 | Brighter / deeper blue variant; used for visual contrast in dense cable plants |
Stock Availability by Color
Colors 010 (Black), 009 (White), 006 (Blue), 008 (Gray), and 060 (Chrome) generally have the broadest availability and shortest lead times across Belden product lines. Specialty suffixes (877, N3U, D15, J22) and less common standard colors (011, 012) may require additional lead time. Not all suffix colors are available for every Belden part number — check the Belden catalog or contact your distributor to confirm available jacket color options for a specific cable model.
Practical Tips for Selecting Jacket Colors
Follow your facility or project identification plan. Many organizations use internal color conventions for fast identification and easier maintenance. Consistency across the entire install is the priority. Check stock availability early. Standard colors ship faster; specialty suffixes may add weeks to lead time. Don’t assume color implies performance. UV/sunlight resistance, temperature rating, and flame rating depend on the jacket compound and approvals, not the jacket color — always verify the datasheet. Use contrasting colors in dense pathways. Bright or clearly distinct jacket colors reduce service time in high-density racks, trays, and ceilings.
Quick Reference: Belden Jacket Color by Application
| Application | Typical Belden Jacket Color | NEC Rating | Why This Color |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plenum horizontal cabling | White | CMP | White Flamarrest® PVC is Belden’s standard plenum compound |
| Horizontal cabling | Blue | CMR (typical) | Blue = horizontal drops per TIA-606 convention; fire rating depends on cable model, not color |
| Outdoor / OSP backbone | Black | OSP / CMX | Black PE provides UV and moisture resistance |
| Industrial Ethernet (EtherNet/IP) | Blue | CMR or CM | ODVA EtherNet/IP color convention |
| Industrial Ethernet (PROFINET) | Teal | CMR or CM | PROFINET specification color requirement |
| Single-mode fiber | Yellow | — | TIA-598-D industry-standard convention |
| OM3/OM4 multimode fiber | Aqua | — | TIA-598-D industry-standard convention |
| OM5 wideband multimode fiber | Lime Green | — | TIA-598-D industry-standard convention |
| Instrumentation / control cable | Gray or Chrome | PLTC, ITC, TC | Standard Belden industrial jacket colors |
| Fire alarm cable | Red | FPLP, FPLR, FPL | Industry convention for fire alarm identification |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Belden outer jacket color determine the cable’s fire rating?
No. Jacket color is a visual identification aid, not a fire rating indicator. The NEC type designation printed on the jacket (CMP, CMR, CM, etc.) determines the fire rating. While Belden uses conventions like white for plenum and blue for riser in networking cables, the same color can appear on cables with different ratings. Always verify from the printed legend.
What color is Belden plenum cable?
Belden’s default plenum networking cables (CMP) typically ship with a white Flamarrest® PVC jacket. However, many Belden CMP cables are available in blue, gray, green, and other colors as ordering options. The white jacket is the default, not the only option.
Are fiber optic cable jacket colors standardized?
Yes. TIA-598-D defines industry-standard jacket colors for fiber optic cables by fiber type: yellow for single-mode (OS1/OS2), orange for legacy multimode (OM1/OM2), aqua for laser-optimized multimode (OM3/OM4), and lime green for wideband multimode (OM5). These colors are consistent across manufacturers, including Belden.
What is Belden Chart 1 color code?
Belden Chart 1 is the standard conductor identification color sequence for multiconductor cables: Black (1), White (2), Red (3), Green (4), Brown (5), Blue (6), Orange (7), Yellow (8), Purple (9), Gray (10), Pink (11), Tan (12). For cables with more than 12 conductors, the colors repeat with a white tracer stripe.
What is the difference between Belden Chart 1 and Chart 2?
Chart 1 (Belden Standard) uses 12 solid colors that repeat with tracers for higher conductor counts. Chart 2 (ICEA Method 1) uses 6 base colors (Black, White, Red, Green, Orange, Blue) and introduces base/tracer color combinations starting at conductor 7. Chart 2 is commonly used on PLTC and industrial control cables. Chart 1 is used on most other Belden multiconductor products.
What color is a PROFINET cable?
The PROFINET specification recommends a teal (blue-green) outer jacket for PROFINET cables. Belden’s PROFINET cables follow this convention. The teal jacket provides instant visual identification in industrial cable trays where multiple protocols (EtherNet/IP in blue, PROFINET in teal, PROFIBUS in purple) may coexist.
How do I identify a Belden cable by its part number color suffix?
Belden uses a suffix code after the base part number to indicate jacket color. Standard numeric codes include: 001 (brown), 002 (red), 003 (orange), 004 (yellow), 005 (green), 006 (blue), 007 (violet), 008 (gray), 009 (white), 010 (black), 011 (tan), 012 (pink), and 060 (chrome). Specialty alphanumeric codes like 877 (natural/undyed), N3U (mil green), D15 (blue), and J22 (strong blue) are used on specific product families. The full part number structure is: [Base Part Number] [Jacket Color Code] [Optional Put-Up/Length] — for example, 88760 0021000 means base 88760, red jacket, 1000 ft put-up.
Are jacket color codes the same as conductor insulation colors?
No. Jacket color codes (like 006 for blue or 010 for black) refer to the outer jacket of the cable — the external sheath you see on the reel. Conductor insulation colors are the colors of the individual wires inside the cable, which follow Belden’s internal conductor color code charts (Chart 1, Chart 2, Chart 3, etc.). These are two completely separate identification systems.
Does every Belden cable come in every jacket color?
No. Jacket color availability varies by product family and series. High-volume networking cables like the 2413 (Cat6+ CMP) are available in many colors (blue, white, gray, green, red, etc.), while specialty industrial cables or outdoor cables may only be manufactured in one or two jacket colors. Always check the specific Belden datasheet or contact your distributor for available color options on a given part number.
What is the most common Belden jacket color code?
In many Belden product lines, 010 (Black) and 060 (Chrome) are among the most commonly stocked jacket suffixes. For networking cables, 006 (Blue) and 009 (White) are the most popular because they align with TIA-606 conventions for riser and plenum installations respectively. Stock availability is generally best for 010, 009, 006, 008, and 060.
Related Resources
- Instrumentation Cable Guide: Types, Shielding, NEC Ratings & RS-485 Selection — Belden instrumentation cable families, conductor color codes, and shielding configurations
- Fire Alarm Cable Guide: Types, Ratings & NEC Requirements — Fire alarm cable types, NEC Article 760, and cable substitution hierarchy
- Plenum vs. Riser Cable: Ratings, NEC Rules & When to Use Each — CMP vs. CMR ratings explained with NEC installation requirements
- Network Cable Guide: Cat5e, Cat6, Cat6A & Beyond — Category cable specifications, performance comparison, and selection guide
- Shop Low-Voltage Cable — Browse all low-voltage cable categories including networking, fire alarm, and security
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Disclaimer: This guide is provided for informational and educational purposes only. Cable identification, selection, and installation must comply with the National Electrical Code (NEC), TIA standards, local amendments, and the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ). Jacket color conventions described in this guide reflect common Belden catalog defaults and industry practices but may vary by product line, region, or manufacturing date. Always verify cable specifications from the printed jacket markings, Belden catalog data sheets, or your distributor. Ramcorp is not responsible for cable selection or installation decisions. Consult a licensed engineer or RCDD for project-specific guidance.