Global manufacturers of household appliances when assembling their equipment use the color marking of mounting wires. It is a designation in electrics L and N. Due to a strictly defined color, the master can quickly determine which of the wires is phase, zero or ground. This is important when connecting or disconnecting equipment from the power supply.
Types of wires
When connecting electrical equipment, installing a variety of systems, special conductors cannot be dispensed with. They are made from aluminum or copper. These materials are excellent conductors of electricity.
Important! Aluminum wires must only be connected to aluminum wires. They are chemically active. If they are connected to copper, then the current transmission circuit will quickly collapse. Aluminum wires are usually connected with nuts and bolts. Copper - by means of a terminal. It is worth considering that the latter type of conductors has a significant drawback - it quickly oxidizes under the influence of air.
Tip in case the current stops flowing at the site of oxidation: to restorepower supply, the wire must be isolated from external influences with electrical tape.
Wire classification
The conductor is one uninsulated or one or more insulated cores. The second type of conductors is covered with a special non-metallic sheath. This can be a winding with an insulating tape or a braid made of fibrous raw materials. Bare wires do not have any protective coatings. They are used in the construction of power lines.
Based on the above, we conclude that the wires are:
- protected;
- unprotected;
- power;
- mounting.
They must be used strictly for their intended purpose. The slightest deviation from the operating requirements leads to a breakdown of the power supply network. Short circuit causes fires.
Designation of phase, neutral and ground wires
When performing the installation of electrical networks for domestic and industrial use, insulated cables are used. They consist of many conductive wires. Each of them is painted in the corresponding color. The designation LO, L, N in electrics allows you to reduce the time for installation and, if necessary, repair work.
The designation described below in the electrics L and N fully complies with the requirements of GOST R 50462 and is used in electrical installations in which the voltage reaches 1000 V. They have a solidly grounded neutral. This group includes electrical equipment of all residential, administrative buildings,economic objects. What color designations for phase L, zero, N and ground must be observed when installing electrical networks? Let's find out.
Phase conductors
There are conductors in the AC network that are energized. They are called phase wires. Translated from English, the term "phase" means "line", "active wire", or "live wire".
Touching a person to a phase wire exposed from insulation can result in serious burns or even death. What does the designation in electrics L and N mean? On electrical diagrams, phase wires are marked with the Latin letter “L”, and in multi-core cables, the phase wire insulation will be painted in one of the following colors:
- white;
- black;
- brown;
- red.
Recommendations! If, for any reason, the electrician doubts the veracity of the information displaying the color marking of the cable wires, a low-voltage voltage indicator must be used to determine the live wire.
Zero conductors
These electrical wires fall into three categories:
- zero working conductors.
- zero protective (ground) conductors.
- zero conductors, combining a protective and working function.
What is the designation of wires in electrics L and N? Network neutral or zero working conductor in electrical circuit diagramsdenoted by the Latin letter "N". The neutral conductors of the cables are colored as follows:
- blue color throughout without additional inclusions;
- blue color along the entire length of the core without additional inclusions.
What does L, N and PE mean in electrical? PE (N-RE) is a neutral protective conductor, which along the entire length of the wire entering the cable is painted with alternating yellow and green lines.
The third category of neutral conductors (REN-wires), which combine working and protective functions, has a color designation in electrics (L and N). The wires are colored blue, with yellow-green stripes at the ends and connections.
Need to verify labeling
The designation LO, L, N in electrics during the installation of electrical networks is an important detail. How to check the correct color coding? To do this, use an indicator screwdriver.
To determine which of the conductors is phase and which is zero using an indicator screwdriver, you need to touch its sting to the uninsulated part of the wire. If the LED lights up, then a phase conductor has been touched. After touching the neutral wire with a screwdriver, there will be no glowing effect.
The importance of the color marking of conductors and strict observance of the rules for its use will significantly reduce the time of installation work and troubleshooting of electrical equipment, while ignoring these elementary requirements turns into a risk forhe alth.
