Generally, if the electrician did it right, the BLACK wire is HOT, and the WHITE wire is NEUTRAL. Meaning that the white wire is the center tap of the main transformer, and the black wire(s) are either leg of the 240 volt output. Since the hot to center tap only takes half of the 240, it ends up being 120 volts at your outlet.
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In a 110-volt electrical system, the black wire is typically the hot wire. It carries the current from the power source to the electrical load. Remember to always turn off the power before working on any electrical connections.
The voltage potential supplying conductor.
A standard 110-volt wire typically consists of three components: a hot wire, a neutral wire, and a ground wire. The hot wire carries the electrical current to the device, the neutral wire completes the circuit by returning the current, and the ground wire provides a safety path for electricity in case of a fault. These components work together to ensure safe and effective electrical operation.
The voltage (AC RMS) between the "hot" wire and the "neutral" wire is 110 VAC (volts alternating current). But it should be noted that the "110" volts supplied to homes can range from 95 to 130 volts, with the present standard now being 120 VAC. In addition, if the circuits are wired in accordance to most local codes, the "neutral' wire is connected to the "ground" wire in the distribution (fuse or circuit breaker panel or box), so the 110 volts will also appear between the "hot" wire (black color coded wire) ,and the ground wire (bare wire, within an insulating jacket carrying the insulated "hot" and "neutral" wires). Note, however, that the "ground" wire is not designed nor intended to carry the "return" current from the "hot" wire, but only as a safety "ground" for currents due to shorted or improperly wired devices connected to the circuit.
Set the multimeter to measure AC voltage. Place one probe on one hot wire and the other probe on the other hot wire. The multimeter should read approximately 240 volts if both hot wires are functioning properly.
To wire a single pole switch for a 110 volt motor, connect the hot wire from the power source to one terminal of the switch. Then connect the other terminal of the switch to the hot wire of the motor. Make sure to also connect the neutral wires together and ground the switch for safety.