The wire color code helps prevent errors and assesses and remembers existing wiring.
However, this doesn’t mean that color coding is always a reliable guide.
While the National Electrical Code (NEC) regulates some wiring colors, wiring colors can still vary.
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Basic Wire Color Code
The home wiring color code is for AC (alternating current).
This hot wire usually connects to a brass-colored screw terminal or black wire lead on electrical devices.
Red wires are generally used to hardwire smoke detectors.
White wires are generally neutral, so pay attention to any tape wrapped around the insulation.
Green and Bare Wires
Green wires connect the gadget to the home’sgrounding system.
A bare wire is a copper wire with no coating.
It can function the same as a green wire and is used to make a ground connection.
They are most often used for switches.
White and Gray Wires
A white neutral wire carries the power back to the power source.
A white neutral wire usually connects to a silver-colored terminal or white wire lead.
This means the white wire is “coded for hot.”
Single-Pole Switch Terminals
Single-pole switcheshave only two terminals, plus a ground screw.
These switches don’t typically connect to the neutral, so there is no terminal for the neutral wire.
Three-Way Switch Terminals
Color coding onthree-way switchesis critical.
These switches have two light-colored terminals and one dark-colored terminal, plus a ground screw.
The light-colored terminals are thetravelerterminals and are interchangeable.
The dark-colored terminal is thecommonterminal, bringing power from the source to the light fixture.
As withsingle-pole switches, neutral wires do not connect to three-way switches.
Outlet Terminals
Outlets, or receptacles, typically have two brass-colored screw terminals and two silver-colored terminals.
The brass terminals are for the hot wires, and the silver terminals are for the neutral wires.
Each terminal pair is connected electrically by a metal connecting tab.
you’ve got the option to remove this tab for a special wiring configuration called split-wiring.
Lamp Cord Wiring
Mostlamp cordshave only two wiresa hot wire and a neutral wire.
The ridged half is the neutral wire.
Yes, you’re free to connect red and black wires or two red wires.
They are both considered “hot” wires.
Brown is considered a live wire.
Before you begin any work, ensure no power source is connected to the live wire.
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