Wire Idents System
Complete guide to using color-coded wire idents in EZ Wire
Last updated: September 30, 2026
Wire idents are small colored markers placed on wires to help identify circuits and connections. They're especially useful when:
- Multiple wires have the same wire type (color and gauge)
- Installing complex harnesses with many connections
- Troubleshooting or repairing existing harnesses
- Following military or aerospace specifications
Color idents that identify the entire wire from end to end.
Color idents near the "from" connector (starting point).
Color idents near the "to" connector (ending point).
Each band is shown in its ident colour. This is the default.
Each band keeps its colour and shows its code number (0 = black, 1 = brown, 2 = red…) in the middle, so idents can be read without relying on colour alone.
Every band uses one colour (white by default) with its code number printed on it. Handy when your ident sleeves are printed numbers rather than coloured bands. You can pick any colour.
Changing the display style
- Open the wiring harness and click the settings (gear) button in the toolbar
- Under Wire Ident Display, pick a style. A preview is shown next to each option
- For Single colour with number, choose the band colour with the colour picker
- Click Save Settings
- 1
Navigate to the Cut List
From your wiring harness view, click the "Cut List" menu item to open your wire list.
- 2
Show Ident Columns
Click "Columns" → choose "Ident", "From End Ident" or "To End Ident" to display the ident position columns you wish to use.
- 3
Enable Edit Mode
Click the "Edit Idents" button to enter wire ident editing mode. This reveals input fields for each wire.
- 4
Enter Color Codes
Type numbers 0-9 in the ident input fields. For example, typing "012" creates Brown-Red-Orange bands.
Visual color previews appear as you type, helping you verify the colors are correct. - 5
Save Your Changes
Press Tab or Enter to save and move to the next field. Changes auto-save when you click away.
- 6
Exit Edit Mode
Click "Finish Editing Idents" when done. Your wire ident color previews will remain visible in the cut list.
Keyboard Shortcuts
Pro Tips
Colour Code Key
Can't remember the codes? Click the help icon next to the ident column header on the connector tables or cut list to see all 10 colour codes.
Maximum 5 Bands
Each position can have up to 5 color bands. The input automatically limits you to 5 characters.
Auto-Save
Changes save automatically when you move to another field or press Enter/Tab.
Visual Feedback
Color band previews update in real-time as you type, so you can verify accuracy immediately.
Clearing Idents
To remove ident bands from a wire, simply clear the input field and press Enter or Tab.