- Phase 1 - Phase 1 wiring should be brown.
- Phase 2 - Phase 2 wiring should be orange.
- Phase 3 - Phase 3 wiring should be yellow.
- Neutral - Neutral wires should be grey.
- Ground - Ground wiring should be green, or green with a yellow stripe.
| Function | Label | Common Color |
|---|---|---|
| Protective ground | PG | bare, green, or green-yellow |
| Neutral | N | white |
| Line, single phase | L | black or red (2nd hot) |
| Line, 3-phase | L1 | black |
What are the electrical codes for wire colors?
- Black - use for line voltage or "hot" wire
- Red - a second line voltage or "hot" wire
- White - neutral
- Bare - protective ground
What are the standard electrical wire colors?
Wiring colours in the USA may be categorised as either AC or DC supply. Standard 120/208/240 Volt AC wiring colouring is shown below: Phase 1 - Black. Phase 2 - Red. Phase 3 - Blue. Neutral - White. Ground - Bare wire, green, or green with yellow stripes. Such forms of wiring are commonly found within domestic and office environments.
What are the wire color codes?
What are wire color codes?
- Phase 1 - Brown.
- Phase 2 - Black.
- Phase 3 - Grey.
- Neutral - Blue.
- Ground - Green with Yellow Stripe.
What are the color codes for house wiring?
Wire Color Codes For United StatesPhase 1: BlackPhase 2: RedPhase 3: BlueNeutral: White. A green wire, a bare wire, or a green wire with a yellow stripe is used as a ground wire. If necessary, a simple light switch wiring diagram is provided below. A dimmer switch is shown in the diagram below.
What is the color code for electric wire?
US AC power circuit wiring color codes The protective ground is green or green with yellow stripe. The neutral is white, the hot (live or active) single phase wires are black , and red in the case of a second active. Three-phase lines are red, black, and blue.
What are color code standards?
A color code is a system for displaying information by using different colors. The earliest examples of color codes in use are for long-distance communication by use of flags, as in semaphore communication.
What color is 20amp wire?
YellowYellow color-coded cable sheathing encloses 12-gauge wires. Yellow 12-gauge cable is typically used for 20-amp circuits that power general household outlets used for a variety of plug-in appliances.07-Feb-2022
What Colour wire goes to L and N?
black wireThe N is for the neutral side or the white wire, and the L is for the load side, the black wire.
Types of Wire Color Codes
There are quite a few different wire color code standards in place, so it is important to understand which one to follow in which situation. The st...
Labeling Electrical Wires & Conduits
The wire color codes used are only going to apply to the actual wires that are carrying the electricity. In many cases, a bundle of these colored w...
Effective Training Options
Those who work directly with electrical wiring on a daily basis will need to be initially trained on what each of the wiring color codes means. Onc...
Applying Color Standards to Existing Wiring
If there are wires in a facility that were put in place prior to the standards that are now used, it is important to take steps to address this saf...
What is the NEC code for wires?
Though there are international wire color codes, the U.S. follows the National Electrical Code ® (NEC). The code is identified as NFPA 70 ® because the NEC is sponsored by the National Fire Protection Association. Though not a federal law (states can choose to adopt it), it is approved by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). Every three years, the NEC reviews, amends and adopts the latest code. The current NEC was last updated in 2020.
How do you ground an electrical circuit?
They ground the electrical circuit by connecting to a grounding terminal in an outlet box and connecting to a metallic strip (busbar) in an electrical panel.
What does a white wire mean?
When you see a modified white wire (with black or red tape wrapped around it), it signals the wire is hot, not neutral. You may see these in 240-volt outlets replacing the red wire as the second live wire.
What does it mean when you see a red wire?
In the case of electricity, recognizing a red electrical wire (hot wire) could mean lowering the risk of electrical shocks, burns, electrocution and fires. If a body encounters a high-magnitude electrical surge, it could take years to recover.
Why is NEC important?
Workers, maintenance crews and contractors (who frequently update wires) have come to rely on this color-coding system. It makes troubleshooting easier, and faster.
Why do we remember colors?
We remember better when colors are used compared to when they’re not. That’s because colors play an essential role in keeping information in the memory system. Since electrical wires are colored, it’s easier to understand their purpose within a network .
What is secondary hot wire?
Indicate a secondary hot wire, one that carries electricity. You will need to shut off the circuit breaker before working with these wires. They can be used to interconnect smoke detectors, power wall switches for ceiling fan lights, and to power outlets for a 240-volt appliance like an air conditioner, electric water heater, stove or dryer.
What is the color code for AC wires?
This standard was originally published as IEC 60446, but was merged into IEC 60445 in 2010.
What is DuraLabel printer?
Where more detailed information is helpful (or even necessary), the DuraLabel line of label printers offer a simple and reliable way to print long-lasting markers and wire tags. Self-laminating wire wraps and heat-shrink tubes are available to create clean, professional labels for your project.
What is the ANSI 606-A standard?
The ANSI/TIA/EIA 606-A standard includes recommendations for marking telecommunications wires. This standard provides a consistent approach that can be applied to many different kinds of connections over time.
What does it mean when a cable marker is blue?
For example, if a cable marker is blue, that might indicate that it’s part of a specific subgroup of the local network. Printed text on the label, though, could identify which specific workstation uses that cable, which port on the server it should be connected to, as well as when the cable was installed.
Is the color of wire the same?
There are many wire identification standards, and many of them rely on color codes. Not all electrical wiring color codes are the same, though, and some even contradict each other.
Do you need to print wiring labels?
With information wiring, printed labels can be a necessity. Wire markers should be visible during installation and normal maintenance of the wiring systems. When those labels use printed text, they should use high-contrast and durable print.
Do older electrical systems have different color codes?
It depends on your location, installation type, voltage, and other factors. Note that older installations may use different color codes. In workplaces, it’s a good idea to document the color code that is being followed. This way, work will be safer, and future maintenance will be easier.
What color wires are used for grounding?
The National Electrical Code (NEC) says that white or gray must be used for neutral conductors and that bare copper or green wires must be used as ground wires. Beyond that are general, industry-accepted rules about wire color that indicate their purpose.
What does it mean when a white wire is augmented with a red or black color?
When a white wire is augmented with a red or black color marking, this often indicates that it is being used as a hot wire rather than a neutral wire. Typically, this is indicated with a band of black or red electrical tape (but other colors may be used) wrapped around the wire's insulation.
What is the white wire used for?
For instance, a white wire in a two-wire cable may be used for the second hot wire on a 240-volt appliance or outlet circuit. This white wire should be looped several times around with black electrical tape to show that it is being used for something other than a neutral. The Spruce / Margot Cavin.
What colors are used in a light switch?
Opening up an outlet or light switch box, you might be confronted with a bewildering array of wires of different colors. Black, white, bare copper, and other colors closely intermingle , yet each one has a specific purpose. Knowing the purpose of each wire will keep you safe and your house's electrical system in top working order.
What does it mean when a white wire is wrapped in electrical tape?
When examining a white or gray wire, make certain that it has not been wrapped in electrical tape. This would indicate a hot wire. Older wires sometimes may lose their electrical tape wrapping. So, if the box has a loose loop of tape inside of it, there is the possibility that it may have come off of the neutral wire.
What is a non-metallic cable?
Non-metallic (or NM) 120-volt and 240-volt electrical cable come in two main parts: the outer plastic sheathing (or jacket) and the inner, color-coded wires. The sheathing binds the inner wires together, and its outer markings indicate the number of wires and size of wire ( gauge) within the sheathing. The color of the sheathing indicates recommended usages. For example, white sheathing means that the inner wires are 14-gauge and yellow sheathing indicates that they are 12-gauge.
What are blue and yellow wires?
Blue and Yellow Wires. Blue and yellow wires are sometimes used as hot wires inside an electrical conduit. The Spruce / Margot Cavin. Rarely are blue and yellow wires found in NM cable. Blue wires are commonly used for travelers in a three-way and four-way switch applications .
What is black wire?
Black Electrical Wires. This color of wire is used to transfer power to switches and outlets in all types of circuits. Also, black wires are often used as switch legs in circuits, which is the connection linking a switch to the electrical load. Consider all black wires to be live at all times.
How do green wires work?
They connect to the grounding terminal in an outlet box and run to the ground bus bar in an electrical panel. In this way, green wires act as a failsafe, giving electricity a place to escape into the ground if a live wire within the circuit touches metal or something else conductive.
What color wires are used for electrical outlets?
Blue and Yellow Electrical Wires. While wires in these colors carry power, they are not used in typical outlet wiring. Instead, blue and yellow wires are used as the live wires pulled through a conduit. For example, you might see yellow wires as switch legs to ceiling fans, structural lights, and outlets paired with light switches.
What is red wire?
Red Electrical Wires. In 220-volt circuits, red wires are the secondary live wires. Like black wires, they can also be used in some types of switch legs. In addition, red wires are used to connect hardwired smoke detectors to the home’s power system.
Can white wires be connected to gray wires?
White and gray electrical wires can only be connected to one another. While they’re called “neutral” wires, they may still carry a current, especially if the current load in the circuit is unbalanced, so handle these wires cautiously.
Do all wires carry current?
Just remember, all electric al wires could carry a current at some point, so treat every color wire with equal caution. If you have any hesitations at all, leave electrical work to a qualified professional.
What color wire is used for hot wires?
According to the rules, hot wires can be represented by many colors. As a rule, black is the most common hot wire color in a house circuit. Black wires should not be used for other purposes rather than providing a live electrical current. If there is only one hot wire in the circuit, it is almost guaranteed to be black.
What is the green wire used for?
Green cables are never used for other goals rather than ground. Green wires can only be connected to other green wires for safety purposes. A hot wire can also be green with a yellow stripe, though this is far less common. You should contact a professional if you see a ground wire connected to anything other than another ground wire, as this is a safety hazard.
What is the IEC DC wiring color code?
The following IEC DC wiring color codes are used for Two-Wire Grounded, Two-Wire ungrounded and Three Wire grounded DC power systems.
What color is phase 1?
The local practice in the US follows and uses the Black color for Phase 1 (Hot 1) or Line 1 (L1) and Red for Phase 2 (Hot 2) or Line 1 (L2). In addition, the following wiring color codes are used in the US and Canada for Two-Wire Grounded, Two-Wire ungrounded and Three Wire grounded DC power systems.
What is the single phase supply in Japan?
As the name suggests, Japan always does weird things. The single phase supply is 100V (Line to Neutral) and Three Phase supply is 200V (3 Lines, No Neutral). For wow reaction, Check the common neutral and 3rd Phase colors. They are the same i.e. white (Read the following note after the three phase codes for explanation).
Which countries use the IEC color code for DC?
Other Countries like China, Russia, KSA and UAE now follow the IEC Cable color codes for DC. But don’t trust the cable insulation colors in these areas as electricians use old as well as new color codes for both AC and DC.
What color is used for neutral wire?
Canadian Electric Code “CEC” wiring color codes are similar in practice with National Electric Code “NEC” expect that White color is used for Neutral Wire and Green or bare conductor is used for protective ground. In some cases, the 1st and 2nd phase (lines) colors are in an inverse position as compared to NEC.
What color wires are used for a PG?
The mandatory colors for power wiring in National Electric Codes (NEC) are Green, Bare or Green/Yellow (Yellow Strip or band on Green) for Protective Ground “PG” and White (alternatively Grey) for Neutral Wire. Any other colors expected the above mentioned can be used for Live (Line or Hot) wires.
Which countries follow the IEC electrical codes?
As mentioned above, most of the Europe Union countries and UK, China , Russia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Ukraine , Belarus, Kazakhstan, Israel, Turkey, Argentina, South Africa, KSA (Saudi Arabia), UAE (United Arab Emirate) and Malaysia are following the IEC “International Electrotechnical Commission” wiring codes. Keep in mind that some of the above mentioned countries such UK, Russia & China etc were using their own “Old wiring color codes” but now follow the IEC power circuit wire codes.
What is an electrical upgrade?
A Simple Electrical Upgrade Can Upgrade Your Quality of Life . The right electrical upgrade can dramatically improve the value and appearance of any home or business. You’ll be amazed at what a difference the right electrical upgrade can make for your home or business.
What are the colors of electrical wires?
3. Blue & Yellow Electrical Wires. Blue and yellow electrical wires are used sometimes as hot wires, but not for typical outlet wiring. They are usually live wires pulled through a conduit. An example would be yellow wires used as switch legs to structural lights or ceiling fans.
What wires do you use to connect smoke detectors?
You can also use red wires to interconnect smoke detectors so that if one of them is triggered, the others go off simultaneously. Red wires can be linked together, and they can also be linked to black wires. 3. Blue & Yellow Electrical Wires.
What does it mean when a black wire is hot?
You’ll see black wires being referred to as “hot” in many graphic representations. This means they carry power from your electrical panel to a certain destination.
What does it mean when a white wire has a black tape?
As mentioned above, if a white wire has a black tape or red color marking, then that means it’s being used as a hot wire and not a neutral one. The tape is usually wrapped around the insulation.
What color wires are neutral?
White and gray electrical wires are neutral. In most households, white is the predominant color, but you can also see gray wires and they serve the exact same function. These connect to the neutral bus bar in the main electrical panel, carrying power back to it rather than from the panel to a device.
What is red wire?
Red Wires. Red wires are also hot, and they’re called secondary live wires in 240- and 220-volt circuits. They too can be used as switch legs in certain circuits. However, one of the most useful applications of this electrical wire color code is connecting hardwired smoke detectors to the power system.
What color wires are used in UK AC circuits?
US, AC: The US National Electrical Code only mandates white (or grey) for the neutral power conductor and bare copper, green, or green with yellow stripe for the protective ground. In principle any other colors except these may be used for the power conductors.
What color conductors are used for 208 VAC?
Black, red, and blue are used for 208 VAC three-phase; brown, orange and yellow are used for 480 VAC. Conductors larger than #6 AWG are only available in black and are color taped at the ends.
What color is the ground for DC power?
US DC power: The US National Electrical Code (for both AC and DC) mandates that the grounded neutral conductor of a power system be white or grey. The protective ground must be bare, green or green-yellow striped. Hot (active) wires may be any other colors except these.
What color is the neutral power conductor?
US, AC: The US National Electrical Code only mandates white (or grey) for the neutral power conductor and bare copper, green, or green with yellow stripe for the protective ground. In principle any other colors except these may be used for the power conductors.
What color is the protective ground?
The protective ground is green or green with yellow stripe. The neutral is white, the hot (live or active) single phase wires are black , and red in the case of a second active. Three-phase lines are red, black, and blue.
Does the UK follow the IEC?
UK, AC: The United Kingdom now follows the IEC AC wiring color codes. Table below lists these along with the obsolete domestic color codes. For adding new colored wiring to existing old colored wiring see Cook.
House Wire Colors Identifications Per NEC
They are primarily found in residential buildings, and they carry power from the switches and outlets to the various circuits. One of their primary purposes is to link a button to a particular electrical load.
Understand Labeling and Color
The electrical cord has an ingenious method of telling you what it does. The codes are mostly standard, so getting started is straightforward.
Before installing New Outlet
Many homeowners would like to DIY more for their wiring needs. Typically, the most common solution is building an outlet and learns. Many people can do this project.