Mains Electricity Flashcards

All 6 cards in this deck

What colour is the insulation of the live wire in a three-core cable?

Brown.

What colour is the insulation of the neutral wire in a three-core cable?

Blue.

What colour is the insulation of the earth wire in a three-core cable?

Green and yellow stripes.

What is the function of the live wire, and what is its potential difference relative to earth?

It carries the alternating potential difference from the supply; this is about $230\ V$ relative to earth ($0\ V$).

What is the function of the neutral wire, and what is its potential?

It completes the circuit; it is at, or close to, earth potential ($0\ V$).

What is the function of the earth wire, and what is its potential?

It is a safety wire that stops the appliance becoming live; it is at $0\ V$.