Electrical Wire Color Code
What is the red wire in electrical work vs. the blue wire? The electrical wire color code allows electricians, contractors, and other workers to easily identify the correct wire at a glance. Not only does this make your work quicker, but more accurate as well. However, there are different standards for different countries, voltages, installation types, and more. In this guide, we run you through the basics of the electrical wire color code, so you can tell the meaning of the blue wire from the white wire in an instant the next time you get to work.
NEC Electrical Wire Color Code for AC
The National Electric Codes (NEC) are green, bare or green/yellow striped for Protective Ground “PG” and White or gray for neutral wires. All others can be used for either live or hot wires. Here’s a quick guide to the AC electrical wire color code:
Single Phase 120V AC:
- Black wire: Phase , Hot or Line “L“
- White wire: Neutral “N”
- Green, green/yellow, or bare:Ground Conductor (Protective Ground) “PG“
Single Phase 240V AC:
- Black wire: Phase 1 , Hot 1 or Line 1 “L1”
- Red wire: Phase 2 , Hot 2 or Line 2, “L2”
- White wire: Neutral “N”
- Green, green/yellow, or bare: Ground “PG”
Three Phase 208V AC:
- Blue wire: Phase 1, Hot 1 or Line 1 “L1”
- Orange wire: Phase 2, Hot 2 or Line 2 “L2” (Orange color used for High Leg or Power Leg Delta)
- Black wire: Phase 3, Hot 3 or Line 3 “L3”
- White wire: Neutral “N”
- Green, green/yellow, or bare: Ground “PG”
Three Phase 277V & 480V:
- Brown wire: Phase 1, Hot 1 or Line 1 “L1”
- Orange wire: Phase 2, Hot 2 or Line 2 “L2”
- Yellow wire: Phase 3, Hot 3 or Line 3 “L3”
- Gray wire: Neutral “N”
- Green, green/yellow, or bare: Ground “PG”
NEC Electrical Wire Color Code for DC
Because AC and DC are different types of currents, they have different electric wire color codes. You might find that what is the red wire in DC electrical is different than what is the red wire in AC electrical. Take a look at the standards for the U.S. and Canada regions:
Two Wire Ungrounded DC Supply
- Red: +Ve (L+)
- Black: -Ve (L-)
- Green, green/yellow, or bare conductor: Protective Ground “PG”.
Two Wire Grounded DC Supply
- Red: +Ve of a -Ve Grounded Circuit (L+)
- White: -Ve of a -Ve Grounded Circuit (N) or +Ve of a +Ve Grounded Circuit (N)
- Black: -Ve of a +Ve Grounded Circuit (L-)
- Green, green/yellow, or bare conductor: Protective Ground “PG”.
Three Wire Grounded DC Supply
- Red: +Ve (L+)
- White: Mid-Wire as Center Tapped (N)
- Black: -Ve (L-)
- Green, green/yellow, or bare conductor: Protective Ground “PG”.
Find Out More with Gateway Cable Company
Whether you’re looking to replace a set of old cables or you still have questions about the electric wire color code, feel free to contact us at Gateway Cable Company to learn more or request a quote for your next job. We’d be happy to help you find just what you need to get the electrical solutions that you want.