10
\$\begingroup\$

Does the color of jumper cables in a circuit matter?

I'm starting out with Arduino and can't get it to work at all with a breadboard! I'm thinking it's something simple like this!

I know Black is Negative and Red is positive, but what about green, blue, orange and white etc? Is it just to make the circuit clearer or does each color have a meaning?

\$\endgroup\$
5
  • 7
    \$\begingroup\$ Of course, how else will someone know what wire to cut when your project turns into a time bomb. \$\endgroup\$
    – Passerby
    Nov 20, 2014 at 1:03
  • \$\begingroup\$ Most breadboard kits I have used have the color indicating the length. \$\endgroup\$ Nov 20, 2014 at 2:01
  • 1
    \$\begingroup\$ @AaronD.Marasco: With the old plastic case style yes. Nowadays they also have kits that use stranded wire with male pins on both ends. They're only a few select lengths but most common wire colors. \$\endgroup\$ Nov 20, 2014 at 2:07
  • 5
    \$\begingroup\$ Example of the problems you get without wire colors: electronics.stackexchange.com/404 \$\endgroup\$
    – RJR
    Nov 20, 2014 at 9:24
  • \$\begingroup\$ @RJR: It took me a while -_- \$\endgroup\$
    – KidCode
    Nov 20, 2014 at 9:49

5 Answers 5

12
\$\begingroup\$

No, the colours don't matter. Using red for positive and black for negative is just a convention. It helps everybody understand the way the circuit is wired, but the current will flow just the same whatever colour the insulation is.

Now, you may find it helpful to devise your own colour-coding scheme. Maybe inputs to the Arduino are blue, and outputs are orange, something like that. Anything that helps you keep the wiring clear and organised will help.

Non-working Arduino breadboard circuits are usually caused by a wiring error. Be sure that you understand where the breadboard holes are connected, and where they're not. If you can, get someone else to check your wiring, because it's very common to miss something if you check it yourself.

\$\endgroup\$
1
  • 8
    \$\begingroup\$ Is the typo in that particular (final) sentence a self-referential example? ;-) \$\endgroup\$ Nov 19, 2014 at 21:41
2
\$\begingroup\$

The color does not matter. It is only colored for organization like you said. Remember that the holes on the outside of the breadboard are connected vertically, and that the ones in the middle are connected horizontally. Good luck!

\$\endgroup\$
1
\$\begingroup\$

The wire colour is just an aid to help you keep track of what is connected to which, and will have no effect on the operation of the circuit. You can even use red for ground and black for positive if you wish.

In North American house wiring black is hot, white is neutral and green is safety ground.

\$\endgroup\$
1
\$\begingroup\$

It doesn't matter to the electrons. It does matter to you. Adopting a convention for the various colors can help you determine circuit functionality at a glance and aid diagnosis of problems if/when they come up.

\$\endgroup\$
1
\$\begingroup\$

For a simple circuit the color of the jumper cables may not be that crucial. But when you deal with big complicated circuit you may have problem in tracing out your errors. It is always a good practice to connect the cables or jumpers according to color code. Thus if your project is handed over to another person, he/she may know how to trace out the connection.

\$\endgroup\$

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.