How to Distinguish Negative and Positive Wire (2 Methods Guide)
Content
In real life, not all wires are marked/colored as red (positive wires) or black (negative wires). Therefore, you need to know other ways to determine the polarity of the wires.
Can I use two wires of the same color as positive and negative? Yes it is possible. Some firms or individuals may choose to use wires of the same color for the positive and negative connections. In such a situation, it will be difficult to distinguish the wires from each other.
I used multiple wires of different colors and sometimes even the same color for the positive and negative wires. I do this because I can tell them apart without fuss, based on my years of experience with electricity.
In this guide, I will show you how to identify the positive and negative wires of any type of connection.
Normally the positive wires are marked red and the negative wires black. However, ribbed wires, silver wires, or even red colored wires can also be used for negative wires. In a lighting fixture, the black wire is positive, and the white wire is negative. Copper wires are pluses on the speaker. Please note that the appliance plugs have hot and neutral sections - these are positive and negative sides, not real wires. Sometimes the positive and negative wires are labeled "+" or "-" and you can easily identify them.
Method 1: How to identify the positive and negative wire in common situations
Let's learn how you can identify wires carrying voltage from ground - I'm talking about negative wires in common scenarios. Do not touch bare wires with bare hands. Arm yourself with a working tester - some testers are deceptive, so make sure you test them for wires carrying a charge.
Plugs for household appliances
Appliance plugs do not have positive and negative wires or sides. Plugs have hot and neutral sections instead of positive and negative wires or sides.
Extension cords and copper
Look for ribbed wires on the extension cord - they are usually negative. If your wires are the same colors, usually copper, the negative wire is the ribbed texture. Trace the length of the wire with your hands to feel for the ridged areas that will be the negative wire.
Lamp
To determine the nature of the wires in a lighting fixture, remember that there will be three wires - positive, negative and ground. The black wire is positive, the white wire is negative, and the green wire is ground. So when you want to hang a chandelier, pay attention to this wiring system, but proceed with caution. You can turn off the switches or the main switch. (1)
However, copper wires can be used for grounding.
Speaker and amplifier wires
Usually copper wires are positive in speaker or amplifier wires. The negative wires are silver threads.
Check your Owner's Manual
You can use your manual to determine the nature of your wires. Different types of vehicles have different wire coding, so be sure to purchase the correct manual.
Method 2: Use a multimeter to identify the positive and negative wire
Use a digital multimeter to check the polarity of the wires, analog multimeters are easily damaged if the probe is connected incorrectly.
Set the multimeter to current-voltage - turn the selection dial knob to point to the part with the "V" next to it. Connect the black lead to the port labeled COM, and then connect the red lead to the port marked "V". Finally, connect the probes together to adjust the multimeter, it should beep (multimeter) if it works. To check the polarity of the wires, do the following:
- Connect one lead of the probe to one wire and then the other probe to the other end of the other wire. You can use alligator clips on wires.
- Check the multimeter reading. If the value is positive, the wire connected to the red wire of the sensor is positive. You will get a reading of about 9.2V. In this case, the wire connected to the black wire is negative.
- If the reading is negative, your wires are reversed - the wire on the red wire is negative and the wire on the black wire is positive, swap the probe leads. (2)
- If the negative voltage value persists, then your multimeter is faulty. Change it.
Take a look at some of our articles below.
- How to determine the neutral wire with a multimeter
- What does negative voltage mean on a multimeter
- How to check the car ground wire with a multimeter
Recommendations
(1) chandelier light - https://www.architecturaldigest.com/gallery/most-expensive-antique-chandeliers-at-auction-slideshow
(2) lead — https://www.rsc.org/periodic-table/element/82/lead
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