Electrical wire colors. For three phase electricity supply circuits will use five wires. Wiring color codes used for electrical wiring has a specific meaning with different colors for different types and purposes of circuits. Equipment wiring includes things such as wiring in power cords. Earth wire neutral wire live wire line 2 wire.
The collection of electrical wiring and electrical devices like switches sockets meters and fittings is called electrical installation or building wiring. An electrical wire is a single solid or twisted copper or aluminum conductor with or without any insulation. What 12 different electrical wire colors actually mean wiring a light fixture or new appliance. Electrical wiring colours coding standard for three phase electrical applications are standardised to aid the identification of individual wire phases.
Electricians and contractors understand these codes. If you live in the united states and your home was built after the 1940s or your outdated wiring has since been updated you can expect the electrical wires behind your walls to follow certain color standards. Typically this is indicated with a band of black or red electrical tape but other colors may be used wrapped around the wires insulation. For those who want to learn a simple guide can help to understand their meaning.
The wire color codes used are only going to apply to the actual wires that are carrying the electricity. Wiring colour codes for ac and dc power distribution circuits have changed on numerous occasions and vary depending on region. Specific colors identify each wires function in a circuit. The list below outlines what the different colour codes mean for both single and multi phased.
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. Dont be confused by the number of electrical wire colors you findweve got just the. In australia we currently have two separate colour coding systems one for equipment wiring and one for installation wiring.