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Household wiring
Beginner
Live, neutral and earth wires.
Live (230 V or 120 V), neutral and earth wires; appliances are in parallel; switches and fuses go in the live wire. Earth gives a low-resistance path for faults, blowing the fuse.
Plug fuse 3, 5 or 13 A.
Switch in the neutral leaves the appliance live.
In more detail
Household wiring uses parallel circuits so each appliance receives mains voltage, with fuses or breakers protecting each circuit. Earth wires provide a safe path for fault current.
Real-world uses
- Lighting and power circuits are wired separately in homes.
- Electricians check wiring to meet safety regulations.
- Electricians connect the live wire to a switch, the neutral to return the current and the earth wire for safety.
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Frequently asked questions
Why are appliances in parallel?
So each works at full voltage and can be switched independently.
What is the earth wire for?
It carries fault current safely to ground, tripping the breaker.
What is the earth wire for?
It provides a low-resistance path for fault current, so a circuit breaker trips and the metal case does not become live.
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