The hot wire in a standard electrical system is typically brown. This is based on the color-coding standards established by the National Electrical Code (NEC) in the United States. The NEC provides guidelines for the color-coding of electrical wires to ensure safety and consistency in electrical installations. According to NEC Article 200.6(A), the brown wire is designated as the "hot wire," which carries the live electrical current. The blue wire, on the other hand, is designated as the "neutral wire," which carries the return current to the electrical source. This color-coding system is widely adopted and followed by electricians and electrical contractors across the country.