2007-11-25 08:10:59 · 2 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Engineering
In general, the black (or other colored) wire is the hot lead and the white wire is the neutral. However don't bet your life that the electrican wired everything correctly.
On 3-way light switches some electricians will take a white wire and convert it to the traveler (hot wire). They are supposed to permanently color the insulation black, (paint, tape, etc) but don't always do so.
Most light switches are Single Pole/Single Throw (SPST) devices. They only switch the hot lead. The neutral wire is not connected to most switches.
On a standard 120 V outlet there are three openings. The two parallel slots are the hot and neutral. The smaller one is intended for the hot lead, and the larger one is intended for the neutral. The rounded opening is the ground.
2007-11-25 08:38:36 · answer #1 · answered by Thomas C 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Black Should be hot
White is neutral
Green or bare copper is ground
2007-11-25 16:24:20 · answer #2 · answered by bob shark 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋