Cable and wire identification refers to the markers or labels that are typically affixed to a cable or wire for identification purposes. These markers provide a quick and easy way to identify a cable or wire and can be placed in a location that is easy to read, even in hard-to-reach areas.

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 you read a wire number?





Wire gauge sizes are represented through numerical values, AWG 4/0 through AWG 40. The lower the number assigned to a wire the larger its diameter; the higher the number the smaller its diameter. AWG stands for American Wire Gauge.

How do I tell what wire material is?

The wire size and number of wires are indicated with numbers. A ground wire is indicated by “G,” “w/G,” or “with Ground.” The wire material is indicated by “CU” for copper and “AL” for aluminum.

What do the letters mean on wire?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: One o means the cable has an oil resistant outer jacket. Two O's mean the cable has an oil resistant jacket and an oil resistant insulation a W tells you that cable is weather and water resistance.

Which wire has writing on it?

Typically, the neutral wire in your electrical system is identified by some means of writing, which can be found on the wiring case.

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)


How do you read an electrical wire chart?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: Page to have a quick look at the symbols. You see a three-phase ac electric motor symbol. Here this font is the symbol for a solenoid valve. This is a symbol for contactor. This is the coil.

What do Romex numbers mean?

Romex will be labeled with “12-2” or “12-3”. The first number indicates the gauge of the wire. You choices are typically 10, 12, or 14 gauge. The second number indicates the number of conductors. A 12-2 Romex will have a black(hot) and a white(neutral) wire as well as an unsheathed copper wire for ground.

What does AWG mean in wire?



American Wire Gauge

American Wire Gauge (AWG) is the standard way to denote wire size in North America. In AWG, the larger the number, the smaller the wire diameter and thickness. The largest standard size is 0000 AWG, and 40 AWG is the smallest standard size.

What are cable codes?

Cable Colour Codes

Function Alpha- numeric Colour
Negative of three-wire circuit L- Grey
Control circuits, ELV and other applications
Phase conductor L Brown, Black, Red, Orange, Yellow, Violet, Grey, White, Pink or Turquoise
Neutral or mid-wire N or M Blue

Which wire is positive when both are black?



If the multi-colored wire is black and red, the black wire is the negative wire, while the red one is positive. If both wires are black but one has a white stripe, the striped wire is negative, while the plain black wire is positive. Look in the owner manual to determine which wires are negative in a car.

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

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: But there's a ribbed on it and I'll show you what this house wiring because they that's pretty standard for lamp cord. The rig the side with ribs on it is usually designating the neutral side of the

How can you tell which wire is hot and load?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: And then remember gold goes to the hot. Side so the gold terminal. And that's on my line. Set and then silver goes to neutral or the white wire.

What happens if I reverse line and load?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: When line and load are reversed at a newer gfci outlet the behavior is pretty simple you'll be able to trip the gfci. But it won't reset. With older gfcis. The outlet will trip but the outlet remains.

Which wire is hot when both are same color?



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.

Which wire is line and which is load?

The line side of an outlet is where you connect the incoming source power. The load side is where the power leaves the device (or electrical box) and travels down the circuit.

Is black wire a line or load?

So, what color is the load wire? Load wires are mostly black, but red can also be used as a secondary load wire. They are also connected to the switch’s top half, while line wires are connected to the switch’s bottom half.

Is the white wire line or load?

The circuit’s hot wire (typically colored black or red) connects to the black or brass-colored screw terminal marked LINE. The white neutral wire connects to the silver-colored screw terminal marked LINE. The markings for line and load usually are printed on the back of the outlet’s plastic body.