Question about electrical wiring

[Xylob the Destroyer]

In American household wiring, which is the "hot" wire -- black or white?

TIA!!

[Cobra]

http://www.leadsdirect.f9.co.uk/mainswiring.htm

Look down at the bottom.

[BJ_M]

In American household wiring, which is the "hot" wire -- black or white?

TIA!!

in the USA - black is always hot , except in some switch legs (the leg to your light switch) in which (in 1 way , 2 way or 3 way +) either wire COULD be hot depending on switch position ...

[gadgetguy]

White or gray is neutral (or grounded current carrying)
Green is ground (or grounding, non-current carrying)
Most other colors are hot (or ungrounded current carrying).
In switchlegs the white wire is used as an ungrounded current carrying conductor so both white and black should be considered hot.

[ZAPPER]

I'll go with Gadgetguy on this one for the most part.

But hot can almost be an irrrelative term in AC and when going behind others work don't assume anything. (switches with travelers especially) And once you get inside a device or its controls all bets are off. As far as wiring the average device if everything is "normal" put the green wire on the green screw, the white wire on the white/silver screw and the black wire on the brass/yellowish screw. A good solid mechanical connection is a good electrical connection.