2.4.2

Mains Electricity

Test yourself

Mains Electricity

Most electrical appliances are connected to the mains using a three-core cable (a cable containing 3 wires). The wires are colour-coded. The colour tells you the wire's purpose.

Illustrative background for Live wire is brownIllustrative background for Live wire is brown ?? "content

Live wire is brown

  • The live wire is brown and carries a 230V potential.
  • It provides the alternating potential difference from the mains electricity supply.
Illustrative background for Neutral wire is blueIllustrative background for Neutral wire is blue ?? "content

Neutral wire is blue

  • The neutral wire is blue.
  • It is at or close to earth potential (which is 0V).
  • It completes the circuit and carries current away from the appliance.
Illustrative background for Earth wire has green and yellow stripesIllustrative background for Earth wire has green and yellow stripes ?? "content

Earth wire has green and yellow stripes

  • The earth wire has green and yellow stripes.
  • It has a 0V potential and only carries a current if there is a fault.
  • It is a safety wire to stop the appliance becoming live.

Jump to other topics

1Energy

2Electricity

3Particle Model of Matter

4Atoms & Radiation

5Forces

5.1Basics of Motion

5.2Forces

5.3Effects of Forces

5.4Pressure

6Waves

7Magnetism

8Astrophysics

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