What color is commonly designated for an ungrounded conductor?

The color commonly designated for an ungrounded conductor is red. In electrical wiring, different colors are used to signify different types of conductors and their functions, as standardized by the National Electrical Code (NEC) and other industry practices.

Red typically indicates a second ungrounded conductor in a 120/240-volt system. This is important for ensuring that electricians can easily identify which wires carry current and are therefore live, allowing safe and proper wiring practices to be followed. Understanding the color-coding system helps in reducing the risk of electrical shock and ensuring the correct connections in complex electrical systems.

In contrast, other colors like green are specifically reserved for grounding conductors, while white is designated for grounded conductors (neutral). Blue can also signify another type of ungrounded conductor in specific applications, but red is the more commonly recognized color for the primary ungrounded conductor in residential and commercial wiring systems.