Question

Fig.  shows a 3 pin plug with the cover removed. The electric cable
connected to the plug contains 3 wires with colour coded insulation namely brown, blue and green.

1. Identify each of the colour coded wires by stating to which of the
   terminals A, B or C in the diagram they should be connected.
2. Identify the terminal through which no current passes in normal
   circumstances.
3. What is the purpose of the earthed wire connected to an electric
   appliance like an electric heater? Describe how it works.

Answer 1

(a) Brown wire or live wire should be connected to terminal C.
Blue wire or neutral wire should be connected to terminal B.
Green wire or earth wire should be connected to terminal A.
(b) No, current passes through the earth terminal i.e. terminal A in normal circumstances.
(c) The metal case of an electrical appliance is earthed so that in any case of accidental contact of live wire with the metallic body of the appliance, the earth wire would provide a safe and easy path for the electric charges to flow down to the earth which acts as very large sink. Thus, user is thereby protected from any fatal electric shock.