How do you read wire markings?

Labels typically include:

  1. Wire size: Indicated by a number (such as 12, for 12-gauge) or a number followed by “AWG,” for American Wire Gauge.
  2. Number of wires: Usually indicated by the number 2; landscape wiring typically has two insulated wires stuck together (similar to a lamp cord) and contains no ground wire.

What does the writing on wire mean?





Typically, the neutral wire in your electrical system is identified by some means of writing, which can be found on the wiring case. Writing or numeral notations on electrical wires notates important information, such as the material, size, and type of wire.

How do I identify a wire?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: If you don't get a voltage reading the wire is neutral. If you get a reading the wire is hot you can also use color coding to identify. Hard neutral and ground wires. But I wouldn't trust it 100%.

How do electricians label wires?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: So you have like an 8.5 by 11 sheet of paper and then I printed graph paper lines on it and then I just write my specific spot that my wire is going to or coming from.

What are the 3 types of wires?

Three types of wire used are :

  • live wire ( Red colour)
  • neutral wire(Black colour)
  • earth wire (Green colour)





What do solid striped lines on a wire indicate?

The solid/dashed lines on wires like the ones pictured in your question are used to indicate polarity e.g. for the “wall wart” power supplies. Usually* the wire with the white stripe or the dashed lines carries the “positive” (+) end, while the other, unmarked wire carries the “negative” (-) end.

How do you tell which wire is positive and which is negative?

If you have a wire where both sides are the same color, which is typically copper, the strand that has a grooved texture is the negative wire. Run your fingers along the wire to determine which side has the ribbing. Feel the other wire which is smooth. This is your positive wire.

Is the writing on the hot wire?

In most modern fixtures the neutral wire will be white and the hot wire is red or black. In some types of fixtures, both wires will be the same color. In this case, the neutral wire is always identified by some means. In some cases, there will be small writing on the wiring case.

How do you label cables and wires?



Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: Make sure the wire label shows that sometimes this is done by using a different color label or in many cases the wire. Itself is a different color which is a form of identification. And labeling.

How do you use cable markers?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: You can create custom labels in seconds. To create a wire mark use the trash marking tool to select the characters needed then simply insert them into the PVC sleeves.

What is the electrical color code?

The protective ground is green or green with yellow stripe. The neutral is white, the hot (live or active) single phase wires are black , and red in the case of a second active. Three-phase lines are red, black, and blue.

Which wire is which electrical?



Here’s a rundown of electrical wires: The black wire is the “hot” wire, it carries the electricity from the breaker panel into the switch or light source. The white wire is the “neutral” wire, it takes any unused electricity and current and sends it back to the breaker panel.

What are the colors for electrical wiring?

U.S. Electrical Wiring Color Codes

  • Phase 1 – Black.
  • Phase 2 – Red.
  • Phase 3 – Blue.
  • Neutral – White.
  • Ground – Green, Green with Yellow Stripe, or Bare Wire.


What do colors of wires mean?

Black wires are hot wires that run to the electrical outlet from the switch. Red wires are hot wires common in a 240-volt outlet or when a wall switch controls the outlet. Blue and yellow wires are hot wires for ceiling fans and three- or four-way switches. White or gray electrical wires are neutral wires.

How do you identify a load and line wire?



Load Wire – Generally connected to the top half of your switch. If the wire is coming from the top of the switch box, it is likely your load wire. Line Wire – Generally connected to the bottom half of your switch. In some cases, line wires are marked with “line”, “pwr”, or a lightning bolt symbol.

What are the color code standards?

ICEA Paired Color Code

Pair Number Leg 1 Color Leg 2 Color
1 Black White
2 Red White
3 Green White
4 Orange White

Why is color coding important for wires?

Answer. Explanation: Importance of colour code wire is very important in Domestic circuit because it help to know that which colour of wire is current wire and which one is earthing wire . It also help if there is damage in wiring then by the colour code it will be repair.