What color is used for grounding conductors for equipment?

The color code for grounding conductors is a crucial aspect of electrical safety and system organization. Grounding conductors are specifically intended to provide a path for fault current and to ensure the safe operation of electrical equipment. In practice, using bare wire, green, or green with yellow stripes for grounding conductors is universally recognized and mandated by the National Electrical Code (NEC) and other standards.

Green is widely accepted as the standard color for ground in most electrical wiring applications, ensuring that anyone working on or inspecting electrical systems can easily identify grounding conductors. The presence of yellow stripes on green insulated wire helps further differentiate it when multiple conductors are present, ensuring clarity and safety.

This color coding signifies to technicians and electricians the specific role of these conductors in a system, enhancing safety and reducing the likelihood of errors during repairs or modifications. Using any other colors like red, black, or blue could create confusion since those colors are typically reserved for other purposes, such as hot wires or specific phase conductors. Thus, the established standards promote consistency and safety across all electrical installations.