Electrical dangers:
Heating effect too much current in the wrong place ⇒ fires!
Biological effect electrical current causes muscles to contract out of control and can cause the
heart to stop
If a wire becomes loose the body of the appliance may become live – electrocution risk.
It is the live wire that
changes potential. It
varies from +240V (or
possibly even 300V)
and -240V (-300V?)
and is the most
dangerous wire.
If you touch the live wire there will be a circuit connected between you and the earth and a large
current will flow. This can easily kill. The neutral wire is at a zero potential. If you touch it, you
will be at a zero potential and the wire will also be at zero potential. There is no potential difference
and current should not flow! However, this is not advisable.
The third wire, the Earth wire (yellow/green),
usually carries no current. It is connected to the
casing and then to the Earth (hence its name).
If the live wire becomes free, the Earth wire will
cause a circuit from the live wire to the Earth. A
current will begin to flow and build up to a point
where the fuse will melt and render the
appliance harmless. Replacing the fuse and
switching the appliance back on will just blow
the fuse again.
Fuses
A fuse is connected between the live wire and the live pin. The fuse is made from a metal which has
a low melting point and is designed to protect an appliance. All appliances have a "working
current" which is safe for their operation. However, if the current exceeds this value the appliance
could be damaged.
The fuse (opposite) is designed to melt if the
current in an appliance exceeds the working
current.
All appliances will have their fuse rating
written on their back and now usually come
with a correctly fused plug.
Typical values would be 3A, 5A and 13A fuses where appliances below 700W - 3A fuse, above
700W - 5A fuse, above 1200W - 13A fuse)