Live wire (electricity)
Encyclopedia
The live wire in an AC
electrical circuit refers to the wire (in a single-phase system
) which carries an oscillating voltage
with respect to the earth
. The neutral
wire is usually maintained at or near the earth potential
, though this is not always the case, such as during a fault situation.
The international standard colour for the live wire is brown, which is in use in modern wiring in the EU and Australia. Other countries may use other colours; for example, red was the previous standard in the UK, and is still commonly found on older wiring.
Alternating current
In alternating current the movement of electric charge periodically reverses direction. In direct current , the flow of electric charge is only in one direction....
electrical circuit refers to the wire (in a single-phase system
Single-phase electric power
In electrical engineering, single-phase electric power refers to the distribution of alternating current electric power using a system in which all the voltages of the supply vary in unison. Single-phase distribution is used when loads are mostly lighting and heating, with few large electric motors...
) which carries an oscillating voltage
Voltage
Voltage, otherwise known as electrical potential difference or electric tension is the difference in electric potential between two points — or the difference in electric potential energy per unit charge between two points...
with respect to the earth
Ground (electricity)
In electrical engineering, ground or earth may be the reference point in an electrical circuit from which other voltages are measured, or a common return path for electric current, or a direct physical connection to the Earth....
. The neutral
Ground and neutral
Since the neutral point of an electrical supply system is often connected to earth ground, ground and neutral are closely related. Under certain conditions, a conductor used to connect to a system neutral is also used for grounding of equipment and structures...
wire is usually maintained at or near the earth potential
Voltage
Voltage, otherwise known as electrical potential difference or electric tension is the difference in electric potential between two points — or the difference in electric potential energy per unit charge between two points...
, though this is not always the case, such as during a fault situation.
The international standard colour for the live wire is brown, which is in use in modern wiring in the EU and Australia. Other countries may use other colours; for example, red was the previous standard in the UK, and is still commonly found on older wiring.
See also
- Ground and neutral wiresGround and neutralSince the neutral point of an electrical supply system is often connected to earth ground, ground and neutral are closely related. Under certain conditions, a conductor used to connect to a system neutral is also used for grounding of equipment and structures...
- History of coloured wire coding in the UKElectrical wiring (UK)There are a number of specific national practices, habits and traditions associated with consumer mains wiring in the United Kingdom that differ significantly from other countries...