What is positive and negative bias on a lavaliere mic?

[baker]

What is this and what happens if you connect a device that requires a negative bias mic but you connect a positive bias mic?

 

[RuudNL]

No sound and with a bit of bad luck you will destroy the microphone...

 

[baker]

Is bias just a matter of how a lavalier mic is wired or is it more of a permanent thing regarding the mic itself. Example, a mic has red, black and shield wires and wiring it audio for red and ground with black and shield means positive bias and vice versa means negative? Is this possible or it's not because mics can only be built one way and not both bias??

 

[RuudNL]

It would be a lot easier if you would mention the manufacturer and type of the microphone...