Is Black or White Hot?

Based on standard electrical wiring practices, the black wire is the hot wire.

When dealing with electrical wiring, understanding the function of different wire colors is crucial for safety and proper installation. According to common electrical standards, and as confirmed by the provided reference:

Understanding Electrical Wire Colors

Electrical wire colors are not arbitrary; they serve as critical indicators of the wire's purpose within a circuit. This color coding helps electricians and homeowners alike safely identify which wires carry power and which do not under normal operation.

The Role of Black and White Wires

As stated in the provided reference, there are distinct roles for black and white wires:

• Black Wire: The black wire is the "hot" wire. It is the primary carrier of electrical power from the source (like your breaker panel) to the destination (such as a switch or light fixture). Touching a bare black wire when the circuit is live can result in electric shock because it is actively carrying voltage.
• White Wire: The white wire is the "neutral" wire. Its function is to complete the circuit, returning unused electricity and current back to the source. While typically not carrying voltage under normal conditions, the neutral wire is still part of the live circuit and can become energized under fault conditions, so it should always be treated with caution.

Here's a simple summary:

Understanding this distinction is a fundamental aspect of electrical safety. Always ensure power is turned off at the breaker before working with any electrical wires.