AQA · Physics · 8463
GCSE Physics: Mains electricity
Electricity · AQA GCSE Physics (8463), specification point 4.2.3.2. Cards are generated from the exam board's own specification for "Mains electricity", and every card links back to the page it came from. Specification © AQA — used with attribution.
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What colour is the insulation on the live wire in a UK mains cable?
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Brown.
What colour is the insulation on the neutral wire in a UK mains cable?
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Blue.
What colour is the insulation on the earth wire in a UK mains cable?
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Green and yellow stripes.
Most electrical appliances are connected to the mains using ?-core cable.
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three
What is the function of the live wire in a mains cable?
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It carries the alternating potential difference from the supply.
What is the function of the neutral wire in a mains cable?
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It completes the circuit.
What is the purpose of the earth wire in a mains cable?
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It is a safety wire that stops the appliance becoming live.
What is the potential difference between the live wire and earth in UK mains?
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About 230 V.
At what potential is the neutral wire in a mains circuit?
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At, or close to, earth potential (0 V).
When does the earth wire carry a current?
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Only if there is a fault — otherwise it stays at 0 V carrying no current.
Why can a live wire be dangerous even when the mains switch is open?
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The live wire is still at about 230 V relative to earth, so touching it lets current flow through you to earth.
Why is any connection between the live wire and earth dangerous?
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The large potential difference (about 230 V) drives a large current through the connection — through a person this can cause electrocution, and it can cause fire.
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