Electricity in the Home Flashcards
Electricity (15 cards)
What are the two types of electricity supplies?
Alternating current (ac) and direct current (dc)
Alternating current is characterized by a constantly changing direction, while direct current flows in one direction.
What is the UK mains supply voltage?
Around 230 V
This value represents the standard voltage for electricity in homes in the UK.
What is the frequency of the UK mains supply?
50 Hz
Hertz (Hz) is a unit of frequency that indicates cycles per second.
What type of current do cells and batteries supply?
Direct current (dc)
Direct current is always flowing in the same direction.
What are the three wires in most electrical appliances connected to the mains supply?
Live wire, neutral wire, earth wire
Each wire has a specific purpose and color coding.
What color is the live wire?
Brown
The live wire provides the alternating potential difference from the mains supply.
What color is the neutral wire?
Blue
The neutral wire completes the circuit and is at around 0 V.
What color is the earth wire?
Green and yellow
The earth wire is for protecting the wiring and is also at 0 V.
What happens if you touch the live wire?
A large potential difference is produced across your body
This can cause a severe electric shock, potentially injuring or killing you.
True or False: A live wire can still pose a danger even when a switch is off.
True
There can still be a potential difference in the live wire even if no current is flowing.
What can happen if there is a connection between live and earth?
A huge current may flow, which could result in a fire
This situation is dangerous due to the low resistance path created to earth.
Fill in the blank: The neutral wire is at ______.
0 V
Fill in the blank: The live wire provides the alternating potential difference at about ______.
230 V
What is the purpose of the earth wire?
To protect the wiring and stop the appliance casing from becoming live
It does not usually carry a current unless there is a fault.
What is the main purpose of the neutral wire in an electrical circuit?
To complete the circuit
Current flows through the live and neutral wires when the appliance is operating normally.
