Cabling

• Wires in a plug

  • Live wire (brown)
  • Neutral wire (blue)
  • Earth wire (green and yellow stripes)
• Live wire:

  • brown
  • 230 V
  • carries alternating potential difference from supply
  • this can be dangerous even if mains circuit is off, as current may still be flowing through it
• Neutral wire:

  • blue
  • 0 V
  • completes the circuit
• Earth wire:

  • green and yellow stripes
  • 0 V, only carries current if there is a fault
  • safety wire to stop appliance becoming live, therefore preventing electric shock
  • is connected to the earth and casing
• Electric shocks:

  • person touches live wire
  • large potential difference produced across body
  • current flows through body
  • can cause injury and even death