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A table lamp using AC (alternating current) does not have a positive wire, but many will color-code the wires white and black within the circuit.
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As said, no positive and negative, but there IS a hot and a neutral. The hot wire may have ridges running the length of the insulation (or be colored black if separately insulated). The hot wire connects to the brass colored screw, and feeds power to the base of the bulb. Yes, will work if reversed, but is not according to electrical code. White or unridged wire connects to silver colored screw, which connects to the shell of the bulb base.
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What is positive wire?
Positive wire is red, at least on automobile batteries.
What wire is the ribbed wire on an extension cord?
The only cord with a rib identifier is lamp cord. There are small extension cords made of this material but should only be used for very light duty such as extending table of floor lamps so that they can reach existing wall receptacles. This rib identifies the neutral conductor so that the lamp get wired with the correct polarity. The rib connects to the plug's neutral blade (silver screw). At the lamp end the rib wire connects to the lamp holder's shell. The shell is the part that the light bulb screws into.
How do you identify the NEUTRAL wire on a 2 wire very old electrical cord of a goose neck lamp?
The best way to find the neutral wire on any lamp is to ring the wire out. Before there were polarized plugs and receptacles a lamp could be plugged in either way. All new lamps have polarized plugs where the neutral is connected to the shell of the lamp holder and the "hot" wire is connected to the center pin deep in the lamp socket. Back to your goose neck lamp, you will need a meter that reads resistance and use it as a continuity meter. With the lamp unplugged and the lamp's switch in the off position connect one lead of the meter to the shell of the lamp holder. Take the other lead and touch it to one of the plug cap blades. If the meter gives a reading it is that blade that is the neutral wire. If there is no reading then that blade is considered the "hot" wire. If you are changing the plug (cap) out for a new one connect the newly established neutral wire to the silver coloured screw and the newly established "hot" wire to the gold coloured screw. Now when ever and where ever the lamp is plugged into a voltage source the polarity will be correct and the lamp will be much safer to use.
Is the hot wire labeled positive or negative?
Hot is positive.
Is there a difference between black wire and red wire?
Yes, the red wire is a positive wire (+) and the black wire is a negative wire (-) :D
