In standard electrical color coding, which color is used to indicate hot?

In standard electrical color coding, which color is used to indicate hot?

• A. White
• B. Black
• C. Red
• D. Blue

Answer: (B)

Understanding color coding helps you identify live wires safely. In standard electrical wiring, the hot or live conductor is colored black. This is the default color used for the primary supply that carries current to a circuit. Red and blue are also used for additional hot conductors in more complex wiring, such as 240V circuits or three‑phase systems. White is reserved for neutral, which completes the circuit back to the source, and green or bare wires are for grounding. So, among the given colors, black best represents the hot conductor in typical domestic wiring. When in doubt, always test and follow local codes, since wiring can be re-identified or configured differently in some cases.

Understanding color coding helps you identify live wires safely. In standard electrical wiring, the hot or live conductor is colored black. This is the default color used for the primary supply that carries current to a circuit. Red and blue are also used for additional hot conductors in more complex wiring, such as 240V circuits or three‑phase systems. White is reserved for neutral, which completes the circuit back to the source, and green or bare wires are for grounding. So, among the given colors, black best represents the hot conductor in typical domestic wiring. When in doubt, always test and follow local codes, since wiring can be re-identified or configured differently in some cases.