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Question:

What is a black/yellow wire?

I am replacing my garbage disposal. I have black, white wires and a black/yellow wire. How do I connect this black/yellow wire. Is this a hot wire as well?

Answer:

Check the color ,should be green yellow or blue yellow or dark blue yellow ,and that is ground wire ,mostly they have a ring brass connected to that wire .
A wire that is black or red (with or without any other colors) should be considered to be hot (carrying current). Why not just trip the circuit breaker or, at least, turn the switch to the off position before you mess with the wires? Make a diagram of how the wires were connected to the old garbage disposal, and connect them to the new one, the same way. There should be one white wire, on colored wire (not green or bare copper), and one green or plain copper wire. The green or plain copper wire is the ground. That connects to a (usually) green colored screw/bolt that is inside the wiring box on the disposal. The other two wires connect to the white and red/black wire.
if you do not have a circuit tester then it is time to buy that $3.00 item === it is a little glow light that will be a dim light at 110volts and a brighter light at 220volts -- has two wires with metal ends and can help you with the disposal and wall sockets or other connections ... any hardware store has this tester. NOW ... we deal with the blk/yellow wire -- it is possible that it is a ground, or it is a hot wire or it could be to a GFIC [[ ground fault interrupter circuit ]] that is in the home panel -- OR -- who knows about the electrician that was the original wiring person --- most I have ever seen in wires to a disposal is two [2] wires a blk and a wht == this is a common mistake that most DIYers make .. they do not take the time to make full investigation and label wires as they take things apart .... get the tester as that is the cheapest way to solve also look at panel for the GFIC or call an electrician ,,,,,,,,, respectfully,,, XTX

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