When assembling their equipment, world manufacturers of household appliances use color coding of mounting wires. It is a designation in electrics L and N. Thanks 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 power.
Types of wires
When connecting electrical equipment, installing a variety of systems can not do without special conductors. They are made of aluminum or copper. These materials conduct excellent electrical current.
Important! Aluminum wires must only be connected to aluminum. They are chemically active. If they are connected to copper, the current transfer circuit will quickly collapse. Aluminum wires are usually connected with nuts and bolts. Copper - through the terminal. It is worth considering that the last type of conductors has a significant drawback - it quickly oxidizes under the influence of air.
Advice in case the current stops flowing at the site of oxidation: to restore the power supply, the wire must be isolated from external influences with electrical tape.
Wire classification
The conductor is one uninsulated or one or more isolated conductors. The second type of conductors is coated with a special non-metallic sheath. This can be wrapping with insulating tape or a braid of fibrous raw materials. Uninsulated 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;
- assembly.
They must be used strictly for their intended purpose. The slightest deviation from operating requirements leads to a breakdown of the power supply network. Short circuits cause fires.
Designation of phase, zero 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 an electrician can reduce the time for installation, and, if necessary, repair work.
The designation described below in 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 grounded neutral. This group includes the electrical equipment of all residential, office buildings, household facilities. What color codes for phase L, zero, N and ground must be observed when installing electrical networks? Let's figure it out.
Phase conductors
The AC network has conductors that are live. 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 circuits, phase wires are marked with the Latin letter “L”, and in multicore cables the insulation of the phase wire will be painted in one of the following colors:
- white;
- the black;
- brown;
- red.
Recommendations! If for some reason the electrician doubts the veracity of the information that displays the color marking of the cable wires, you must use a low -voltage voltage indicator to determine which wires are energized.
Zero conductors
These wires are divided into three categories:
- zero working conductors.
- zero protective (earth) conductors.
- zero conductors combining a protective and working function.
What is the designation of wires in an electrician L and N? The neutral of the network or the neutral conductor in electrical circuits is denoted by the Latin letter "N". The zero cable conductors are colored as follows:
- blue color over the entire length without additional inclusions;
- blue color along the entire length of the core without additional inclusions.
What does L, N and PE mean in electrics? PE (N-RE) - zero protective conductor, which along the entire length of the cable entering the cable is painted with alternating yellow and green lines.
The third category of neutral conductors (REN wires), which combine the working and protective functions, has a color designation in electrics (L and N). The wires are colored blue, with ends and junctions with yellow-green stripes.
The need for labeling verification
The designation LO, L, N in an electrician when installing electrical networks is an important detail. How to check the correct color marking? To do this, use an indicator screwdriver.
To determine which of the conductors is phase and which is zero with an indicator screwdriver, it is necessary to touch its tip with an uninsulated part of the wire. If the LED lights up, it means a touch to the phase conductor. After touching the screwdriver to the neutral wire, there will be no luminous effect.
The importance of color marking of conductors and strict observance of the rules for its use will significantly reduce the time for installation and troubleshooting of electrical equipment, while ignoring these basic requirements turns into a health risk.