The quickest way to identify house electrical wiring is by its color. But looking deeper the color of the wires inside of the sheathing reveals that different colored wires serve different purposes.
Electrical wiring is an electrical installation of cabling and associated devices such as switches distribution boards sockets and light fittings in a structure.
Electric wires color code. In many cases a bundle of these colored wires will be grouped together and sealed within a black or grey cable. Wiring for ac and dc power distribution branch circuits are color coded for identification of individual wires. 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.
Wiring is subject to safety standards for design and installation. 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 wire color codes used are only going to apply to the actual wires that are carrying the electricity. The helpful reality is that you really have only. This article describes the electrical wiring color code conventions for 120v or 240v ac circuit wiring in buildings in canada the us the uk.
In that case local custom dictates the. 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. Labeling electrical wires conduits.
6 wiring color codes in europe iec for dc supply. 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. 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.
Wiring color codes in canada. Allowable wire and cable types and sizes are specified according to the circuit operating voltage and electric current capability with further restrictions on the. Electrical wiring color code guide.
The ac power cable color code is nearly similar to the code used in the usa except exclusion of bare copper from ground wire. The canadian electrical code cec regulates electrical wiring color coding in canada. Beyond that are general industry accepted rules about wire color that indicate their purpose.
In some jurisdictions all wire colors are specified in legal documents. In other jurisdictions only a few conductor colors are so codified. With the help of color codes of electrical wires they can be easily and safely identified.