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Angi, formerly known as Angie’s List, is here to help you improve your home. Whether you are looking to replace an outlet, or install a new light fixture, you may come across electrical wiring in your home. When you aren’t dealing with electrical wiring, one of the most important things that you need to know is what type of wiring you are dealing with. Here is more information about electrical wiring and the different colors that it comes in.
Why Electrical Wires Are Colored
The number one reason why electric wiring is color-coded is to provide a universal electrical wire color code system. The color of electrical wires is not only something that is found in the United States, it is something that is used throughout the world. This helps to ensure that any electrician can take a look at your wiring, and determine what type of wiring they are dealing with. Electrical wiring can be dangerous and mistakes made by using the wrong wiring or linking the wrong wiring together can lead to electric surges, electric shorts or even electric fires. This is why the electrical wire color code system is so vital to implement and use.
What Different Colors Mean
Different colored electrical wires have different uses. Here are a few of the most common colors of electrical wiring found within a home, and what type of wires those colors represent.
Green, Green with a Yellow Stripe or Bare Copper Wires
Wires that are green, green with a yellow stripe, or bare copper are ground wires. Ground wires are conductors that work like a shock absorber. A ground wire is used to give electricity a safe place to go; typically in the ground below your home. Ultimately, a ground wire helps take positive charges from your home’s electrical outlets and panels and puts them into the ground in a controlled and safe way, without the risk of a fire or electrical shock. Most homes built after the 1960ss have a properly grounded electric system, and as such, they have these wires.
Black or Red Wires
If you see black or red wire in your home, you are dealing with a hot wire. Hot wires are the wires that carry electricity. These wires should be handled with extreme care, as they can shock you. Traditionally, red wires are used in lieu of black only when an outlet is 240 volts, when a wall switch controls a specific outlet, or when the wires are connecting two smoke detectors that are hardwired.
Blue or Yellow Wires
Blue and yellow wires are also hot wires. However, unlike red and black wires, these wires are each used in a specific setting. Yellow wires are typically only used as switch legs for ceiling fans or to specific outlets that control specific light switches. Blue wires are traditionally only used in three- or four-way switches. A three- or four-way switch is a switch that has multiple switches that control one light fixture or outlet. This is typically seen at the top and bottom of the stairs, or in Jack and Jill bathrooms where the lights can be turned on at either entrance.
White or Gray Wires
The final color of wiring that you may see in a home is neutral wiring. This is typically white or gray in color. Neutral wiring is used to connect to a conductive piece of metal. While they are considered to be neutral wires, they can carry an electrical current in them when your electricity is powered on, so you want to shut off power when working with these wires.
What To Do If You Cannot Identify a Wire Color
If you come across electrical wiring that is frayed, burnt, discolored, or is not a color found on the electrical wiring color code system, you may find yourself unsure of what type of wire you are dealing with. If you are in this situation, it is highly recommended that you contact a professional electrician. That electrician has the knowledge and the tools to properly check the wire and determine what it is you are doing. They can also replace the wire so that it is properly colored in the future.
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