Colors of Electrical Wires

Description

1. Black: Typically used for hot wires carrying electrical current from the power source to electrical devices or outlets.
2. Red: Also used for hot wires, often indicating a secondary live wire in a circuit, such as in 220-volt installations.
3. Blue: Commonly used for hot wires in switch legs, travelers in three-way switches, or as part of a multi-wire branch circuit.
4. Yellow: Used for wires that are part of a switch loop in lighting circuits.
5. White: Typically reserved for neutral wires that complete the circuit and carry current back to the electrical panel.
6. Green or Bare Copper: Used for grounding wires, which provide a safe path for electrical currents in case of faults or surges.
7. Orange, Brown, and Other Colors: These colors are sometimes used for special purposes, such as specific phases in three-phase power systems or as part of low-voltage wiring systems.