Electricity In The Home Flashcards
What are the two main electricity supplies
Alternating current
Direct current
What is alternating current
The current is constantly changing direction
They are produced by alternating voltages in which the positive and negative ends keep alternating
What is the UK mains supply
An Ac supply at around 230V
The frequency of the Ac mains supply is 50Hz
What supplies direct current
Cells and batteries
What is direct current
A current that is always flowing in the same direction
It is created by direct voltage
What color is a live wire in a cable and what does it do
Brown
Provides the alternating potential difference from the mains supply
What color is a neutral wire and what does it do
Blue
It completes the circuit and carries away current - electricity flows in through the live wire and out through the neutral wire
What colour is the earth wire and what does it do
Green and yellow
It is for protecting the wiring and for safety
It stops the appliances from becoming live
It doesn’t carry a current, only when’s there’s a fault
Why would you get a shock in your body if you touch the live wire
Your body is at 0V so a large potential difference is produced across your body and a current flows through you ——large electric shock
Why is it dangerous if any connection between the live and earth happens
The link creates a low resistance path to earth, a huge current will flow, which could result in a fire
What is the potential difference of the live wire
230V
What is the potential difference of the earth wire
0V
What is the potential difference of a neutral wire
0V
