It is important to understand and address conflict as it is a part of any relationship including those in the educational and professional settings. There is the possibility that you can transform how you perceive conflict, and thus, how you address conflict – this is the positive lens of conflict.

24VDCwire color codeUSA

It is important to avoid thinking of threat as an intention to inflict physical harm or pain upon someone. Rather, consider threat as an unfavourable situation and force that may adversely affect you.

24VDC brown blue

In Canada, wire color coding standards are set by the Canadian Electric Code (CEC). The color code for AC power wiring is similar to the code used in the United States:

Iecwire color

Have you ever perceived a threat when having a difference of opinion or disagreed with someone else? Have you felt a sense of threat in a setting where there are deeply engrained power dynamics? Have you been engaged in a class discussion where you had a different way of seeing things than another person? Have you had a concern about a university/school’s policy? Have you received a grade on a paper from a professor and you did not agree with it? You may feel worried to speak up about an issue because the other person has a different perspective than you. You may fear that if you speak up, they will think you are ignorant or that it may affect your relationship with them.

In the United States, the following color codes are typically used for power wires in "branch circuits," the wiring between the last protective device (such as a circuit breaker) and the load (such as a tool or appliance).

0VDCwire color

There are many wire identification standards, and many of them rely on color codes. Not all electrical wiring color codes are the same, though, and some even contradict each other. Which standard should be used in your facility? It depends on your location, installation type, voltage, and other factors.

Wire markers should be visible during installation and normal maintenance of the wiring systems. When those labels use printed text, they should use high-contrast and durable print. Whatever marking system is used for the cables and wires in your facility, the markings should be durable enough to last as long as the wires themselves.

Most narrow wires will be color-coded by the manufacturer, using insulation of different colors. When wires are larger than #6 AWG, they will typically be manufactured with black insulation. In these cases, color coding should be added during installation, using colored bands that wrap around the wire.

24VDCwire color codeIEC

A starting point is to transform how you view conflict. Have you ever considered viewing conflict from a positive lens? Conflict suggests that you have an opinion that you hold as meaningful or important. In itself, this is a good thing. It can be beneficial to approach conflict as an opportunity. You can learn and grow by truly listening to another person’s view and sharing your own. Part of this is seeking to understand what the perceived threat is for you and for the other person(s). If approached professionally, this sharing can help you feel good that you have shared your opinion, why it matters to you, and participated collaboratively and respectfully to manage the conflict. Additionally, by learning and growing while engaging professionally with another person, this can sometimes create a connection that cultivates your relationship with them. It can also add to a positive resolution related to the conflict with the potential for creative and divergent thinking.

Power cable colours

Introduction to Communication in Nursing Copyright © 2020 by Edited by Jennifer Lapum; Oona St-Amant; Michelle Hughes; and Joy Garmaise-Yee is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

Threat is embedded in conflict because a person’s perception or position quickly becomes part of who they are (i.e., their self concept) and as such, an opposition to this perception is considered “a threat to self” (De Dreu & van Knippenberg, 2005, p. 345). A perceived threat or an actual threat happens with conflict because you perceive that something/someone is challenging your beliefs or needs and may affect your sense of self or the relationship you have with them.

Wirecolour codes

De Dreu, C., & van Knippenberg, D. (2005). The possessive self as a barrier to conflict resolution: Effects of mere ownership, process accountability, and self-concept clarity on competitive cognitions and behavior. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 89(3), 345-357. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.89.3.345

Most European countries follow a wire color code established by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) for AC branch circuits. This standard was originally published as IEC 60446, but was merged into IEC 60445 in 2010.

While color can rapidly provide some information, the amount of information is limited. For example, if a cable marker is blue, that might indicate that it's part of a specific subgroup of the local network. Printed text on the label, though, could identify which specific workstation uses that cable, which port on the server it should be connected to, as well as when the cable was installed. With information wiring, printed labels can be a necessity.

24 vdcWire

For higher-voltage cases, it becomes even more important to have a documented wire labeling system. More detailed labels can include information like circuit identification, or the appropriate disconnection point for lockout/tagout.

The color codes used for wires can vary. In some areas, a color code is specified by law; other areas rely on common practice. Different codes are popular in different areas.

Wiring used for telecommunications or computer network applications use a different approach for identifying data cables. The ANSI/TIA/EIA 606-A standard includes recommendations for marking telecommunications wires. This standard provides a consistent approach that can be applied to many different kinds of connections over time.

Consider how you have responded to conflict in the past. Did you ignore or avoid the conflict? Did you take the disagreement personally? Did you engage in intense and relentless argument? Have you ever not addressed it with the person, but instead posted on social media or gossiped to a friend or peer? These are all ineffective ways to deal with conflict because it never resolves the problem – the conflict.

If the wiring system has one phase at a higher voltage than the others, using a "high-leg" connection, that phase's wires should be marked with orange. (This is required in NEC article 110.15.) However, these high-leg delta systems are uncommon with newer installations.

Where more detailed information is helpful (or even necessary), the DuraLabel line of label printers offer a simple and reliable way to print long-lasting markers and wire tags. Self-laminating wire wraps and heat-shrink tubes are available to create clean, professional labels for your project.

Note that older installations may use different color codes. In workplaces, it's a good idea to document the color code that is being followed. This way, work will be safer, and future maintenance will be easier.

Conflict can trigger strong emotions and has the potential to negatively affect how you respond and how you communicate.