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A table lamp using AC (alternating current) does not have a positive wire, but many will color-code the wires white and black within the circuit.

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As said, no positive and negative, but there IS a hot and a neutral. The hot wire may have ridges running the length of the insulation (or be colored black if separately insulated). The hot wire connects to the brass colored screw, and feeds power to the base of the bulb. Yes, will work if reversed, but is not according to electrical code. White or unridged wire connects to silver colored screw, which connects to the shell of the bulb base.

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Q: What wire is positive on a table lamp?
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Continue Learning about Electrical Engineering

What is positive wire?

Positive wire is red, at least on automobile batteries.


What wire is the ribbed wire on an extension cord?

The only cord with a rib identifier is lamp cord. There are small extension cords made of this material but should only be used for very light duty such as extending table of floor lamps so that they can reach existing wall receptacles. This rib identifies the neutral conductor so that the lamp get wired with the correct polarity. The rib connects to the plug's neutral blade (silver screw). At the lamp end the rib wire connects to the lamp holder's shell. The shell is the part that the light bulb screws into.


How do you identify the NEUTRAL wire on a 2 wire very old electrical cord of a goose neck lamp?

The best way to find the neutral wire on any lamp is to ring the wire out. Before there were polarized plugs and receptacles a lamp could be plugged in either way. All new lamps have polarized plugs where the neutral is connected to the shell of the lamp holder and the "hot" wire is connected to the center pin deep in the lamp socket. Back to your goose neck lamp, you will need a meter that reads resistance and use it as a continuity meter. With the lamp unplugged and the lamp's switch in the off position connect one lead of the meter to the shell of the lamp holder. Take the other lead and touch it to one of the plug cap blades. If the meter gives a reading it is that blade that is the neutral wire. If there is no reading then that blade is considered the "hot" wire. If you are changing the plug (cap) out for a new one connect the newly established neutral wire to the silver coloured screw and the newly established "hot" wire to the gold coloured screw. Now when ever and where ever the lamp is plugged into a voltage source the polarity will be correct and the lamp will be much safer to use.


Is the hot wire labeled positive or negative?

Hot is positive.


Is there a difference between black wire and red wire?

Yes, the red wire is a positive wire (+) and the black wire is a negative wire (-) :D

Related questions

What size wire needed to power 100 watt bulb?

In a floor lamp or table lamp a #16 wire is what you need.


Is the black wire on a lamp connection plus or minus?

The color of the wire does not indicate its polarity. In electrical systems, the polarity is typically designated as positive (+) and negative (-) rather than plus or minus. To determine which wire is positive or negative on a lamp connection, you would need to consult the manufacturer's instructions or use a multimeter to check the voltage.


How does a table lamp differ from a bedside lamp?

You pull the string and it turns on, you pull it again and it turns off.


Why do we need a complete circuit for the bulb to light?

Its a power source such as a battery - Wire from the Positive on the battery to one contact on the lamp and a wire from the Negative of the battery to the other contact on the bulb


Is plus or Minus Ground on lamp socket?

The term plus or minus is usually a term designated to DC Sources. The terminology for AC systems in laymen terms is neutral and "hot". On a lamp socket, for safety reasons the lamp shell should be connected to the neutral wire and the "hot' wire connected to the bottom centre contact point. In North America this is done automatically by connecting the white wire the silver coloured terminal and the black coloured wire to the brass coloured terminal. If the lamp socket is on a table lamp and it is wired with lamp cable, the neutral is identified by the raised rib on one of the two wires.


What is the minimum wire size for desk lamp cords?

Most lamp wire is parallel #16 conductors.


Where can one find out how to rewire a standard lamp?

eHow is a great resource for topics like this, with articles like "How to Re-Wire a Lamp," "How to Rewire a Lamp with a Rotary Switch," "How to Rewire an Old Lamp," and "How to Wire a Floor Lamp."


How does a desk lamp differ from a table lamp?

A desk lamp usually has a flexable arm and a half circle shaped covering for the light while a table lamp usually has a sturdy base and a square lamp shade.


Table Lamps?

form_title= Table Lamps form_header= Brighten up your space with table lamps. What size lamp do you need?*= _ [50] What color and design do you want the lamp?*= _ [50] Do you want the lamp delivered?*= () Yes () No


What is the lamp black wire with white stripe?

If you are asking about the electrical cord on a lamp, the black wire with the white stripe is the neutral conductor.


Can electrical plug be cut off to direct wire a fixture?

No, cord wire is only rated for connecting a table or floor lamp to a wall receptacle. By cutting it off and then connected to the circuit in a junction box is not acceptable practice.


97 Mercury mountaineer-you want to add air hornWhat wire do you hook the positive air horn wire to?

positive wire to another positive wire