Knowing the electrical color code that dictates which wire does what is imperative not only in the correct configuration of an electrical system but its also paramount for your safety. House electrical wire color chart.
This article describes the electrical wiring color code conventions for 120v or 240v ac circuit wiring in buildings in canada the us the uk.
Electrical color. A separate code the 25 pair color code is used to identify wires in some telecommunications cables. Electrical wire colors for most typical home electrical wiring. With the help of color codes of electrical wires they can be easily and safely identified.
Electric blue is a color whose definition varies but is often considered close to cyan and which is a representation of the color of lightning an electric spark and the color of ionized argon gas. To enable wires to be. But looking deeper the color of the wires inside of the sheathing reveals that different colored wires serve different purposes.
The chart below includes uk electrical wire eu electrical wire australia electrical wire new zealand electrical wire south africa electrical wire canada electrical wire and united states electrical wire. The helpful reality is that you really have only. Electrical wires and screw terminals are color coded to help you match each wire to the correct terminal.
Different codes are used for wire leads on devices such as transformers or in building wiring. But if youre not one of these professionals you might be wondering what the different colors of electrical wiring signify. An electronic color code is used to indicate the values or ratings of electronic components usually for resistors but also for capacitors inductors diodes and others.
Depending on where a wire ultimately gets installed you cannot always rely on the markings printed on the insulation coating nor will you always be able to read them legibly. Quoting from authoritative codes standards for each region we provide a table summarizing the current and prior wiring color code conventions used by electricians in building wiring. The quickest way to identify house electrical wiring is by its color.
Electrical contractors and electricians work with electrical wire color codes on a daily basis. Electrical wiring color code guide. 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.
Be aware that all electrical wires regardless of their function could carry an electrical current at some point so treat all wires with equal caution. There are some safety measurements that are to be followed while dealing with electrical wiring and the color codes of wires will help in implementing those safety measurements as a single code is followed in that particular jurisdiction. But this doesnt mean that color coding is always a reliable guide.
It was originally named after the ionized air glow produced during electrical discharges though its meaning has broadened to include shades of blue that are metaphorically electric by virtue of. Beyond that are general industry accepted rules about wire color that indicate their purpose. For example sometimes white wires are used in place of black wires and some devices like outlets and lamps can be wire backward and still work even though this creates a potential shock hazard.