what colour wire goes where in a plug

Color-coded wires are essential components of all electrical wiring networks, and identifying the specific colors and purposes of each wire is the key to understanding the wiring system of any plug.

Electrical plugs consist of four separate wires-a black wire, a white wire, a green or bare copper ground wire and a red wire. When installing a plug into an electrical outlet, each of these wires must be connected in its own specific place in the plug for it to work properly and safely.

The black wire is the live wire, meaning it carries electricity from the plug into the outlet. It should be connected to the brass-colored terminal in the plug. The white wire is the neutral wire, and it returns energy to the plug after it has been used. This wire should be connected to the silver terminal in the plug. The green wire is the ground wire, which protects against electrical shocks. The green wire should be connected to the green terminal in the plug. Finally, the red wire is the switched live wire, which can be used to control some types of circuits. This wire should be connected to the black terminal in the plug.

In summary, the black wire should be attached to the brass terminal, the white wire should be attached to the silver terminal, the green wire should be attached to the green terminal, and the red wire should be attached to the black terminal in a plug. Following this standard convention ensures that the wiring system of the plug will function as it was designed to.

North American Mains Plug And Wiring Stock Image C005 3473 Science Photo Library