Confused on old wiring color conventions


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Old 02-13-18, 01:08 AM
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Confused on old wiring color conventions

I am helping my sister-in-law with some wiring in her 1970's vintage home. when I opening up the junction box I was confused by the wiring colors. The wires appear to be black and tan rather than black and white or black and red as I am used to in more modern homes.

Is this normal? Is the black still the hot?
 
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Old 02-13-18, 02:14 AM
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Never assume black is hot. ALWAYS use a meter. Are you sure it is tan, not just fades wires.
 
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Old 02-13-18, 02:17 AM
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My color vision is not the best so I had my wife look several times. Yes, it appears sort of tan. My guess is it faded from white, but I did not want to assume.

So, the color conventions were the same back in the '70s. Just wanted to check,
 
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Old 02-13-18, 05:49 AM
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The tans are whites that have faded.
 
 

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