Which statement best describes orange or yellow wires?

• A. They are used for grounding.
• B. They carry DC power only.
• C. They carry AC power only.
• D. They remain energized after disconnection from power (externally powered)

Answer: (D)

Orange or yellow wires are marked as conductors that can be hot or externally powered, meaning they may stay energized even after you’ve disconnected the main power. That external source, such as another power feed or control circuit, can keep the voltage present on these lines, so you can’t assume they’re de-energized just by turning off one supply. The color itself doesn’t specify whether the current is AC or DC, only that the conductor is live or carries potential from an external source. Because of this, the safest takeaway is to treat these wires as energized and follow proper safety procedures, like testing for voltage and using lockout/tagout before working. Grounding and the type of current aren’t defined by orange or yellow alone, which is why this option best captures the responsible reality of handling these conductors.