wire color code transformer 220 center tap

So following the protocol, you should only use cables containing one white, one black, and one green or copper wire when adding to a regular 120 volts junction or terminal box. The two black lines from the utility company carry 240 volts AC and are both considered “Hot,” while the third wire with white insulation and tapping right in the center of the transformer coil is considered Neutral with 0 volts with reference to the Ground and therefore provides you with the 120 volts AC to each one of the hot black wires.Ĭonsequently, of the two wires coming from the breaker panel connected to a 120 volts circuit breaker and wired through a 12/2 or 14/2 cable, you have a black wire hooked directly to the circuit breaker’s only terminal, which in turn is connected to one of the two Hot wires feeding the electric panel while the white is hooked up to the Neutral bus bar. The power line feeding your home or any commercial buildings comes into your electrical panel at 240 volts with a center tap from the main transformer at the street, dividing it into two lines of 120 volts AC each (Figure 1a- left).Įxcept for the Neutral wire which needs to be color-coded white, electric wiring larger than # 6 AWG is typically manufactured with black insulation. The Household and Commercial 240 VAC Feed

The rules throughout North America, however, are very similar. The same for the DIYer in South Africa who will work with some different color coding than what you will use in the US or in Canada. There are certain specific standards that have been established and can vary depending on your location, the kind of current, the voltage, and other factors that you must follow for each of your specific projects-the rules will vary, for example, when you’re working at installing a ceiling fan from doing electrical repairs in your vehicle.

It is generally not very complex to learn, but if you don’t pay attention and hook up circuitry with whatever wiring you already have on hand, it could prove very dangerous for you or anyone else that might service this very circuit later on.

Wire color code transformer 220 center tap