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They are probably both hot. It probably is a 220v feed, like a dryer, or electric stove; and not a 110v appliance, like a lamp. In order to run an appliance the net charge must be zero. In a 110v appliance one leg is 110 (alternating between positive and negative about 60/sec), and the neutral wire removes the charge (back to the grounded busbar in your service panel) to get to zero. In a 220v system each wire is hooked up to opposite charged buses in your service panel; one is +110, one is -110 (alternating 60/sec) so again the net is zero. The ground wire in a 220 (usually green) is for safety purposes to give the electricity an easy path to ground in case something goes wrong; else YOU could become the path to ground. If you only have two wires, a red and black, most likely the ground is through the metal conduit (hopefully with no breaks in the path back to the service panel).
With that said, be very careful. People do weird things when they wire stuff. If you do not have the equipment and know-how to determine what is what, CALL A PROFESSIONAL.
Additional InformationAll that being said... you didn't indicate whether this was house, business or some OTHER wiring.In DC circuitry, Red is positive, Black is negative.
What else can I help you with?
How do you wire a light switch with only black and red wires?
The black wire is typically the hot wire that carries the electrical current, while the red wire is often used as a traveler wire. Connect the black wire to one terminal of the light switch and the red wire to the other terminal. Make sure to turn off the power before wiring the switch to avoid electrical shock.
Light switch has 4 wire colors red and white and green and black which is the hot wire?
You have a 3 way switch. Your black wire is the hot wire. Your green wire is the ground wire. Your red and white wires go to the light and other switch. You should have gotten a wiring diagram with your switch.
Is the red wire hot or common?
The red wire is typically used as the hot wire in a standard 120-volt electrical system, while the black wire is used as the hot wire in a 240-volt system. Common wires are usually white or gray.
If there are a red wire a black wire and a bare wire in a 120 volt supply wire which is the hot wire?
The red wire is likely the hot wire in this scenario as it is a common color for power wires. Black is often used as the load wire or neutral wire, while bare wires are typically the ground wire for safety. However, it's best to use a voltage tester to confirm which wire is hot before working with them.
What is the red wire and what wire does it go with when there are three wires black red and white?
The red wire is typically used as the live wire in an electrical circuit. In a three-wire setup with black, red, and white wires, the black wire is usually the hot wire, the red wire is also a hot wire, and the white wire is the neutral wire. The red wire can be paired with the black wire to supply power to a specific device or component.
How do you wire a light switch with only black and red wires?
The black wire is typically the hot wire that carries the electrical current, while the red wire is often used as a traveler wire. Connect the black wire to one terminal of the light switch and the red wire to the other terminal. Make sure to turn off the power before wiring the switch to avoid electrical shock.
Light switch has 4 wire colors red and white and green and black which is the hot wire?
You have a 3 way switch. Your black wire is the hot wire. Your green wire is the ground wire. Your red and white wires go to the light and other switch. You should have gotten a wiring diagram with your switch.
Which wires, red and black, are considered hot in the electrical circuit?
In an electrical circuit, the red wire is typically considered the hot wire, while the black wire is usually the neutral wire.
What color is a hot wire?
It should be RED. If not then black.
Which of the two wires is hot which is neutral?
If this is a home wiring question and the wires are black and white then black is Hot and white is Neutral. If you also have a red wire, it is the other hot wire, and either the black or the red wire to the white one would be 120 volts, and red to black would be 240 volts.
Which wire is hot on a lamp cord?
The wire that is hot on a lamp cord is typically the one that is black or red in color.
What color is the hot wire in an electrical circuit?
The hot wire in an electrical circuit is typically black or red in color.
Is the red wire hot or common?
The red wire is typically used as the hot wire in a standard 120-volt electrical system, while the black wire is used as the hot wire in a 240-volt system. Common wires are usually white or gray.
My Windshield wiper motor stop working for my 1995 cutlass supreme. Can you tell me which wire is the hot wire and the ground wire?
Red is hot, black is not.
If there are a red wire a black wire and a bare wire in a 120 volt supply wire which is the hot wire?
The red wire is likely the hot wire in this scenario as it is a common color for power wires. Black is often used as the load wire or neutral wire, while bare wires are typically the ground wire for safety. However, it's best to use a voltage tester to confirm which wire is hot before working with them.
What is the red wire and what wire does it go with when there are three wires black red and white?
The red wire is typically used as the live wire in an electrical circuit. In a three-wire setup with black, red, and white wires, the black wire is usually the hot wire, the red wire is also a hot wire, and the white wire is the neutral wire. The red wire can be paired with the black wire to supply power to a specific device or component.
Have a black white and red wire for a dryer plug what ones the ground wire?
The green or bare wire is typically the ground wire for a dryer plug. If your wires are black, white, and red, the white wire is usually neutral, the black is hot, and the red is also hot. You should double check with a voltage tester to be certain.
