In addition, red wires are used to connect hardwired smoke detectors to the home’s power system. Like black wires, they can also be used in some types of switch legs. In 220-volt circuits, red wires are the secondary live wires. Consider all black wires to be live at all times.
Also, black wires are often used as switch legs in circuits, which is the connection linking a switch to the electrical load. This color of wire is used to transfer power to switches and outlets in all types of circuits. What the Color of an Electrical Wire Means Black Electrical Wires If you have any hesitations at all, leave electrical work to a qualified professional. Just remember, all electrical wires could carry a current at some point, so treat every color wire with equal caution. Learning these electrical wire color codes before attempting any type of do-it-yourself (DIY) electrical system repair is critical. Specific colors identify each wire’s function in a circuit. If you live in the United States and your home was built after the 1940s (or your outdated wiring has since been updated), you can expect the electrical wires behind your walls to follow certain color standards.
