PHYSICS - mains electricity

?
what are the 2 types of electricity supply?
Alternating currents (ac) and direct currents (dc)
1 of 10
what electricity supply is mains electricity?
Alternating current supply
2 of 10
What does a alternating current do? How is it produced?
A alternating current supplies a current which is constantly changing direction. It is produced by alternating voltages
3 of 10
what is the voltage and frequency of the UK's mains supply?
the mains supply is an alternating current supply at 230V and the frequency of the mains supply is 50Hz
4 of 10
how many cables do most electrical appliances connected to the mains have? what are these wires made of?
most electrical appliances are connected to the mains by 3 core cables. The each have a core of copper and a coloured plastic coating
5 of 10
State the 3 wires in electrical appliances
live wire, neutral wire, earth wire
6 of 10
what colour, purpose and voltage is the live wire in electrical appliances?
the live wire is brown and provides the alternating potential difference (at about 230V) from the mains supply. Energy flows IN through the live wire
7 of 10
what colour, purpose and voltage is the neutral wire in electrical appliances?
the neutral wire is blue and it completes the circuit and carries AWAY current - it flows out through the neutral wire. It is around 0V
8 of 10
what colour, purpose and voltage is the Earth wire in electrical appliances?
the earth wire is green and yellow. Its purpose is to protect the wiring and for safety- it stops the appliance casing from becoming live. It is at 0V as it doesn't carry and current unless there is a fault
9 of 10
why can the live wire give you an electric shock?
because your body (like the earth) is at 0V meaning that is you touch the live wire, a large potential difference is created (live wire - 230V) across your body and a current can flow through you
10 of 10

Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

what electricity supply is mains electricity?

Back

Alternating current supply

Card 3

Front

What does a alternating current do? How is it produced?

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

what is the voltage and frequency of the UK's mains supply?

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

how many cables do most electrical appliances connected to the mains have? what are these wires made of?

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
View more cards

Comments

No comments have yet been made

Similar Physics resources:

See all Physics resources »See all Electricity resources »