Question

In our houses we receive A.C. electric power of 220 V. In electric iron or electric heater cables having three wires with insulation of three different colours - red, black and green are used to draw current from the mains.

1. What are these three different wires called? Name them colourwise.
2. What is the potential difference between the red wire and the black wire?
3. What is the role of the wire with green insulation in case of accidental leakage of electric current to the metallic body of an electrical appliance?

Answer 1

1. Red colour wire: Live wire
   Black colour wire: Neutral wire
   Green colour wire: Earth wire
2. The potential difference between the red wire and the black wire is 220 V.
3. The earth wire’s purpose is to stop unintentional leaks or faults by sending a strong current to the ground.