Each cable used for an electrical installation has a different function and utility, it is important for an electrician to know the use of each one, for this reason the International Electrotechnical Commission standard indicates the colors and / or labels to identify each type of cable.
The most popular colors are:
• Brown wire: identifies the phase wire, in some electrical appliances it can also be black or gray.
• Black cable: another very common color to identify the phase cable.
• Blue wire: used to signal the neutral wire. In old installations it is usually found in red
• White wire: also used for the neutral wire. It is popular in American installations.
• Striped colored wires: can be used to identify the neutrals of each phase colored wire.
• Colored cables: if they are smooth, they are current cables and the most popular is red.
• Green and yellow wire: used to mark the ground.