What colors can be used for equipment grounding wires in the US?

The appropriate colors for equipment grounding wires in the United States are green, bare (uninsulated), or green with a yellow stripe. These color designations are standardized to help ensure safety and consistency in electrical installations, making it easily identifiable that these wires are used for grounding.

Grounding wires play a crucial role in providing a safe path for electrical faults to prevent shock hazards and equipment damage. The use of green and bare colors helps electricians and anyone working with electrical systems to quickly recognize grounding conductors, which is vital for ensuring that proper procedures are followed during installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of electrical systems.

The other color choices do not conform to the accepted standards for grounding wires, as they are designated for other specific purposes within electrical wiring. This differentiation is essential for safety regulations and to minimize the risk of electrical accidents in various environments.