Plus and wires

• What are the three wires found in plugs and cables?

  Live wire, neutral wire, earth wire
• Why can touching the wrong wire give you an electric shock?

  It can cause a large current to flow through you
• 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 main supply in the UK?

  50 hertz
• What does the live wire do?

  Provides alternating potential difference from the supply
• What color is the live wire?

  Brown
• What is the function of the neutral wire?

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

  Blue
• What is the role of the earth wire?

  Stops appliance casing from becoming live
• What color is the earth wire?

  Striped green and yellow
• Why does the earth wire not normally carry a current?

  It has a potential difference of zero volts
• How does the earth wire prevent electric shock?

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

  Due to the difference in voltage
• What happens if the live wire touches the appliance casing?

  The casing could become live, causing shock
• Why is it dangerous to touch plug sockets even when switched off?

  The live wire still has a potential difference
• What should you do to avoid electric shock?

  Never touch plug sockets
• What are the characteristics of the three wires in a plug?

  • Live wire: Brown, 230 volts, provides power
  • Neutral wire: Blue, 0 volts, completes circuit
  • Earth wire: Striped green and yellow, 0 volts, prevents shock
• What is the significance of potential difference in electrical safety?

  • Live wire: 230 volts
  • Neutral and earth wires: 0 volts
  • Difference causes current flow, leading to shock if touched
• What will this video discuss regarding plugs and cables?

  Different wires in plugs and cables
• Where does the majority of electricity in the UK come from?

  From the national grid
• What do we call the electricity supplied from the national grid?

  Main supply
• What is the voltage of the main supply in the UK?

  230 volts
• What is the frequency of the alternating current in the UK?

  50 hertz
• What type of cable is usually used to connect appliances to the main supply?

  A three core cable
• What are the three wires inside 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 insulating plastic?

  For safety
• What color is the live wire?

  Brown
• What does the live wire provide?

  Alternating potential difference of 230 volts
• What color is the neutral wire?

  Blue
• What is the function of the neutral wire?

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

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

  To stop the 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?

  The casing could become live
• How does the earth wire prevent electric shock?

  It 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?

  A large current flows through them
• Why is it dangerous to touch plug sockets?

  Live wire has a potential difference