All You Need to Know About the Electrical Wiring Coding System

Before beginning any wiring job, you must determine the function of each type of wire and what each wire's color coding denotes. These wire colors weren't selected at random. Each wire color identifies its function; thus, it is critical if you want your electrical system to perform properly.

Keep in mind that all electrical lines can carry current. So, suppose you want to conduct any house renovations or DIY repairs. Understanding electrical wiring color coding is required, as it will keep you safe from electric shocks and other hazards.

1. Black Wires: Hot

Mostly found in standard household circuits, black wires carry power from the electrical service panel to the lights, switches, outlets, or other destinations.

Sometimes black wires are used as switch legs that link the switch and the electrical load. While you can use the white color as a hot wire by wrapping it with electrical tape, black wires are not used for the neutral or ground wires and any purpose other than carrying live electrical loads.

2. Red Wires: Hot

Like black wires, red wires are also considered hot wires. Red wires are used to connect your home power system and in ceiling fan installation where the light switches are placed.

Furthermore, red cables are used to connect hardwired smoke detectors. This assures that if one alarm goes off, the others will follow suit. A red and black wire are also joined together and are occasionally utilized as supplementary hot wires.

3. White and Gray Wires: Neutral

If you find white and gray wires, then you've come across the neutral wires. The term "neutral" can be deceiving because it sounds less dangerous and appears to be a non-electrified wire, but it doesn't mean it is safe.

Despite being neutral wires, they can only be connected to one another and not to any other wires. White and gray wires may contain electric current, which offers an electrocution risk and the potential to shock and injure you; therefore, always handle these wires with caution.

4. Green Wires: Ground

The purpose of green wires is to ground an electric circuit, making it shockproof and safe to use. In the case of an electric circuit, these wires can provide a secure path by directing current away from you.

However, keep in mind that if your circuit has a malfunction or a fault, green wires might still be active and only link to other green wires. And should not be utilized for any other purpose since they pose a danger of electrocution. So always be cautious when handling them.

5. Blue and Yellow Wires: Hot

Wires that are blue and yellow are known as "hot wires". While blue and yellow wires are not commonly found in normal wiring outlets, they are another pair of wires classified as live wires used to pull through a conduit. These wires are relatively rarely encountered in Non-Metallic (NM) Cables and are known as traveler wires because they function to conduct current between poles and switches.