Whether you’re wiring a light switch or connecting a new appliance, you need to know which wire is live and which is neutral. But if all the wires are black, how do you figure out which one is hot? Is the black wire always hot?
The answer is no — black wires can be either hot or neutral, depending on the circuit and the purpose of the wire. However, in most modern homes, the black wire is hot. This is due to some standards that have been in effect since the 1970s, which stipulate that the neutral wire should be white and the hot wire should be black. The symbol for hot is a single line, while the symbol for neutral is two separate lines.
To be sure you’ve got the right wire, use a non-contact voltage tester to identify which wire is hot. This device will detect a live wire without you having to make any contact with it. When wiring an outlet or fixture, it’s always best to double-check that the hot wire is properly connected and the neutral wire is on the correct side of the outlet or fixture. For safety’s sake, never connect any wires until you’ve taken the time to identify which is hot and which is neutral.
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