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Which wire is exposed to electric shock?
Live
Neutral
Earth
None of above
Live
The live (or phase) wire is the conductor that carries high-potential electrical current from the source to the load. Because it maintains a significant potential difference relative to the earth, touching it completes a circuit through the human body to the ground, resulting in an electric shock.
The live (or phase) wire is the conductor that carries high-potential electrical current from the source to the load. Because it maintains a significant potential difference relative to the earth, touching it completes a circuit through the human body to the ground, resulting in an electric shock.
I=RVтАЛ тАФ Ohm's Law determining current flow through a person's body
VliveтАЛтИТVearthтАЛ=230V тАФ Potential difference between phase and ground
In an AC system, the live wire carries the alternating voltage (e.g., 230V in India). When a person touches the live wire, the body acts as a path of lower resistance to the ground, causing current to flow through the person according to Ohm's Law, I=RbodyтАЛVтАЛ. This flow of current triggers involuntary muscle contractions and damage to internal organs, characterizing the electric shock.
The live wire is identified by red or brown insulation in modern wiring standards.
The neutral wire acts as the return path for current and is nominally at ground potential.
The earth wire is a safety conductor connected to the metal chassis of appliances to prevent shocks due to insulation failure.
Touching the live wire creates a parallel path to the ground for the electrical current.
Domestic wiring
Power distribution systems
| Feature | High Potential | Reference Potential |
|---|---|---|
Conductor Type | Live Wire | Neutral/Earth |
Neutral wire is considered safe to touch under normal conditions, but should never be assumed safe as it can carry potential if the circuit is unbalanced or broken.
Earth wire carries no current under normal operating conditions; it is specifically designed for fault protection.
A is correct тАФ The live wire carries high electrical potential and is the source of electric shock when it makes a connection to the ground through a human body.
Always assume any conductor is live before performing maintenance; verify with a neon tester or multimeter, even if the circuit appears to be switched off.