Threeconductor

Threeconductor is a term used to describe a cable assembly or system that carries three separate conductive paths within a single insulated structure. The configuration is common in electrical wiring and in some control and audio applications, where multiple circuits must share a single sheath.

In electrical power distribution, a three-conductor cable typically contains two live conductors and a neutral. It is used for single‑phase circuits and for appliances that require a neutral return. In many regions, older installations employed three‑conductor cables without a dedicated grounding conductor; modern practice often requires four‑conductor cables (two hot, a neutral, and a ground) to improve safety and EMI performance. Color coding varies by country and era, but common practice has used black and red for the live conductors and white for the neutral; a bare or insulated ground later became standard in many codes.

In audio, control, and instrumentation, three-conductor configurations may be used to carry two signal paths and a common return, or to provide a dual‑channel path with a shared shield or return. The exact arrangement depends on the signal type, impedance, and applicable standards.

Marketing and documentation: Some manufacturers and DIY sources refer to "threeconductor" as a descriptor for cables with three insulated conductors, and the term may appear in product listings, cataloging, or technical specifications. See also three‑conductor system; four‑conductor cable.