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BNC to alligator clip connectors were made for a function generator in our lab. Whoever made them decided that the ground connector wire should be red and the signal connector wire should be white.

As this is a lab for student teaching, I'm concerned at this non-standard coloring for leads.

Is this a potential safety issue? I suspect it might lead to equipment damage. Is there another aspect I should be wary of?

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    \$\begingroup\$ Yes, it is an issue. Don't think much of different aspects and replace the wires. \$\endgroup\$
    – Eugene Sh.
    Commented Feb 18, 2022 at 15:10
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    \$\begingroup\$ Anyone who learns GND=Red will lead an interesting life. \$\endgroup\$
    – user16324
    Commented Feb 18, 2022 at 15:27
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    \$\begingroup\$ Ironic, I'm working on a piece of Siemens gear where red = 0V and black = +24v. At least in the industrial sector, wire color means almost nothing. Sure, brown and blue should be 24V, and are for the most part (when wiring devices), but not always and especially not inside devices. I've even seen a 700V snubber wire as green with yellow stripe! \$\endgroup\$
    – rdtsc
    Commented Feb 18, 2022 at 15:42
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    \$\begingroup\$ electronics.stackexchange.com/questions/36317/… for some context. \$\endgroup\$
    – Passerby
    Commented Feb 18, 2022 at 16:48
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    \$\begingroup\$ @user_1818839 "Anyone who learns GND=Red will lead an interesting life." - As will anyone who learns GND=Black. Because black is ground, until that time it isn't :) \$\endgroup\$
    – marcelm
    Commented Feb 18, 2022 at 20:43

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Connecting the black to to same GND point as an oscilloscope or such will cause the function generator output to be shorted. That may not be a huge issue, but might damage the output.

Usually the BNC outer contact is connected to mains GND.

And not a good idea to teach students bad habits right at school, of course.

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    \$\begingroup\$ Teaching them to blindly trust wire color is also a bad habit. \$\endgroup\$
    – Passerby
    Commented Feb 18, 2022 at 16:35
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    \$\begingroup\$ @Passerby Teaching about road safety does not involve inverting traffic light colors. \$\endgroup\$
    – Eugene Sh.
    Commented Feb 18, 2022 at 16:43
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    \$\begingroup\$ @EugeneSh. Teaching about road safety does include not blindly entering an intersection just because you have a green light. \$\endgroup\$
    – Passerby
    Commented Feb 18, 2022 at 16:49
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    \$\begingroup\$ @Justme It's not only about usage, it is about designing as well. If the student learns that the colors do not matter, their future designs will be willy-nilly as well. \$\endgroup\$
    – Eugene Sh.
    Commented Feb 18, 2022 at 18:02
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    \$\begingroup\$ Then there's AC vs DC. In NA a hot AC Line connection is typically a Black wire AND/OR a Red wire. You can pick any color!... However the 0V (Neutral wire) must be marked White. Good times. Got a panel with both AC & DC? Maybe avoid black for your DC grounds. One just must know what they are doing. \$\endgroup\$
    – Chris Knudsen
    Commented Feb 18, 2022 at 21:28

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