But in places like a bathroom or a wall light if you see a red wire its a good bet that the red wire is the wire thats connected to the light switch. So the red wire is probably the one you want.

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Red wire in outlet box. In most cases a red wire present in an electrical outlet means that a switch can operate the outlet. Typically the red wire is controlled by a separate wall switch. Generally electrical socket boxes come with three wires each of them colored differently. Wiring diagrams for ceiling fans may be found using the links below. Standard house wiring colors. Wiring practices in the united states are stipulated in the national electrical code.
This configuration sometimes called a half hot or split tab outlet is becoming increasingly popular so its good to know how to wire it. The red wire is for the light switch. The wall switch typically when a ceiling fan is installed the red wire is most commonly used for the light and the black is commonly for the fan motor. Normally youll see a red wire in places you would expect a ceiling fan. If you change a light fixture and find a red wire in the electrical box chances are the black wire from the fixture needs to go to the red wire in the box. What is the red wire for in an electrical outlet.
If the outlet youre servicing is the one you use for your range water heater or dryer its a. A live black wire a green or copper ground wire and a neutral white wire. A red wire in an electrical outlet often indicates a second positive live wire. The red wire is most likely a spare wire that was intended to be used when wiring for a ceiling fan. Ceiling fan red wire connection samuel the red wire from the ceiling fan fixture box is typically connected to the blue wire of the ceiling fan which is for the light fixture of the ceiling fan. In my friends case the solution was simple if not intuitive.
When you see a red wire in a 120 volt duplex outlet box its usually because one of the outlets is operated by a wall switch while the other is always on.