Question

What are the 4 wires in a circuit for?

Answer 1

In a basic electrical circuit, you might come across four types of wires, depending on the system's complexity and design. Here’s what they generally do:

1. Live (or Hot) Wire:
   

   - This wire carries the electrical current from the power source (like your outlet or battery) to the electrical device (like a lamp, fan, etc.).
   - It is typically colored black or red in many wiring systems.

1. Neutral Wire:
   

   - This wire carries the current back from the device to the power source, completing the circuit.
   - It is usually colored white or light gray in most systems.

1. Ground Wire:
   

   - The ground wire provides a safe path for excess electricity to flow into the earth in case of a fault or short circuit. This helps protect you from electric shocks and fires.
   - It is commonly green or bare copper (without insulation).

1. Second Live or Switched Live Wire (in some cases):
   

   - If you're dealing with a circuit that includes a switch, there could be a second live wire that controls when the electricity flows to a device. This is common in lighting circuits.
   - It might be red or another color, depending on the specific system.

Each of these wires serves a distinct purpose to ensure the circuit works properly and safely.