wires and plug

• What is the main source of electricity in the UK?

  National grid
• What is the voltage of the main supply in the UK?

  230 volts
• What type of current is supplied by the national grid?

  Alternating current
• What is the frequency of the electricity supply in the UK?

  50 hertz
• What does a three core cable contain?

  Three wires inside
• What are the three types of wires in a three core cable?

  Live wire, neutral wire, earth wire
• What material are the wires in plugs made of?

  Copper
• Why are the wires coated in plastic?

  For safety and insulation
• What color is the live wire?

  Brown
• What is the function of the live wire?

  Provides alternating potential difference
• What color is the neutral wire?

  Blue
• What does the neutral wire do?

  Completes the circuit by carrying away current
• What color is the earth wire?

  Striped green and yellow
• What is the role of the earth wire?

  Stops appliance casing from becoming live
• Why does the earth wire not normally carry a current?

  It has a potential difference of zero volts
• What happens if the live wire touches the appliance casing?

  It could cause an electric shock
• How does the earth wire prevent electric shocks?

  Provides an alternative pathway for current
• Why does electricity flow from the live wire to the neutral wire?

  Due to the difference in voltage
• What happens if a person touches the live wire?

  It causes a large current to flow through them
• Why is it dangerous to touch plug sockets?

  Live wire still has potential difference
• What are the key components of a plug and their functions?

  • Live wire (brown): Provides voltage
  • Neutral wire (blue): Completes circuit
  • Earth wire (striped green and yellow): Prevents electric shock
• What are the potential dangers of touching electrical wires?

  • Electric shock from live wire
  • Risk of appliance casing becoming live
  • Current flowing through the body