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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.

Live wire is brown

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.
Neutral wire is blue

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.
Earth wire has green and yellow stripes

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.
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