
White or gray wires indicate neutral charged wires.
#Line and neutral colors professional#
Never use a green wire for any purpose other than for grounding, as this may pose a serious threat of electrocution for you or a professional working on your home’s electrical system. Ground screws on electrical devices are often painted green, too. Green insulated wires are often used for grounding. Red wires are commonly used when installing ceiling fans, where the light switch maybe. Red wires are also hot and should be clearly marked to avoid the dangers of electrocution. Red wires are usually used as secondary hot wires. Black or red wires always carry power from the service panel (breaker box) to your home’s devices. This may pose a serious safety hazard that could result in death. While white wiring is permitted- only when clearly marked with black or white tape-using any other color for a wire carrying current is strongly discouraged.

The term “hot” means these wires carry a live current from your electric panel to the destination. Black, red, white with black or red tape will always indicate a hot wire. If your home is older or you’re having difficulty with your home’s wiring system, we recommend you utilize a certified electrician.įirst, you should always be aware of which wires may pose a safety hazard. Here’s what those colors mean, and a few things to keep in mind when checking your wiring system.

When trying to understand your home’s electrical system, you may encounter a tangle of colored wires.
