220 Wiring Color Code Interpretation
In every home, one can find a complex network of wires used to design the circuit and it is essential for the homeowner to have an understanding of the 220 wiring color code for safety purposes. The connections cannot be made haphazardly and have to follow the National Electrical Code (NEC) during all electrical wiring projects. The electrical wires are classified based on wire type, size and color. The plastic sheathed wire, also called NM wire, is the most widely used for home wiring circuits. The NM wires come with electrical markings on the outside sheath of the cable, indicating the size and type of the wire.
Black Wires
According to NEC, the black wires must be used as hot wires in any electrical circuit. Hot wires feed the electrical outlets or switches. Black colored wires are even used for switch legs in many circuits. However, remember to check that no black wire is used for establishing a ground or neutral connection.
Red Wires
The red colored wires can also serve as the voltage feeds (hot wires) inside many circuits. In such cases, black colored electrical tape is applied around the insulation point to denote it as a hot wire. These wires are used in 220-volt circuits with a requirement for a second hot feed or switch legs. The Red wires often serve as interconnections wires in electrical circuits.
Blue and Yellow Colored Wires
Usually, the blue and yellow colored wires are pulled through conduits to light up appliances like lights and fans. Both can be used as hot wires for electrical switch outlets. The NEC codes suggest using blue wires as traveler wires in multiple-way switch configurations. While traversing through an electrical diagram, one can see that blue and yellow wires are widely used as switch legs in many circuits.
White Wires
The white wire is typically used as the neutral wire. However, there are instances when white wires are used for other purposes than neutral wires, such as switch legs or used in three-way electrical connections. In these cases, the wire should be marked with a red or black electrical tape, for indicator safety reasons.
Green/Bare Copper Wires
To complete any electrical circuit, it has to have a grounded or earth connection. The green colored as well as non-insulated copper wires are used for drawing earth or ground connections. These wires are used with electrical devices and junction boxes for grounding. Ground connection is an important safety aspect of any electrical circuit as it runs the excessive charge to the earth in cases of voltage fluctuations.
Home Wire Circuit Summary
Any usual home wiring circuit will consist of a black wire, a white wire and a green or non-insulated copper wire. The black wire is the hot feed, the white wire acts as the neutral wire and the green or bare copper wire is the ground connection. Together all the three wires complete the circuit. After reading through this article, any homeowner must be able to interpret different 220 wiring color codes in any home electrical circuit.