Wire colors are essential to know for your safety. Each color has a different meaning that is significant to you and your electrician. Knowing these meanings will better help you understand why your electrician near Bowie does what they do, thus creating better communication between you.
A Breakdown of Colors
1) Black Wire Color
The black wire is used for power. It is also used to bring the power to a switch and then out of the switch to another fixture or outlet.
2) Red Wire Color
The red wire is typically used as an indicator of current flow, especially in lighting applications with dimmer switches, but it can also be utilized in other settings. You can tell the wire is hot and active because of the red coloring.
3) Yellow Wire Color
The yellow wire is a neutral wire, which allows the current to travel safely. This means there is zero voltage or current flow in this wire; it acts as a buffer between the power source and main source, keeping them separate until the circuit is needed.
4) Green Wire Color
Green wire can be used for either ground or for a grounded conductor, depending on the color of the insulation surrounding it. It provides another safeguard to keep hot (active) and neutral (return) wires apart if an electrical connection fails. This helps prevent electric shock.
5) Blue Wire Color
Blue wire is designated for communications wiring. However, it can also be used for special applications to signal that the circuit is operational. Your electrician in Bowie Maryland will ask you to consider this if you are utilizing a smoke detector or burglar alarm system in your home. Blue wires may indicate power lines to detect movement, monitor temperature or even alert an emergency call center of an emergency.
6) White Wire Color
White wire typically acts as a grounded return conductor in electrical circuits and is used to complete a circuit, which brings about the flow of current in a circuit. It works in conjunction with a ground for this purpose.
Keep these meanings in mind when communicating with your electrician or working on projects around the home.
Finding an Electrician Near Bowie MD
When it comes to electrical wiring, it takes knowledge and skill to know which wires should be used where. If there is no knowledge of the correct wire color code, you could be putting yourself at great risk. Never attempt to do electrical work without prior training and/or consultation with a licensed electrician near Bowie.
Contact NJ Electric Services for an electrician that can help!