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GCSE Combined Science · key term
The green-and-yellow-striped safety wire connected to an appliance’s metal case. It is at earth potential (0 V) and carries current only if there is a fault.
Used by AQA and Edexcel
Specification 6.2.3.2 · Paper 5, Paper 6
Revise: Mains Electricity and WiringThe earth wire is not an extra wire needed to make the appliance work: it is there for protection and normally carries no current.
Paper 5, Paper 6
A safety wire connecting an appliance’s metal case to earth, providing a low-resistance path for current if the case becomes live.
The earth wire normally carries no current. The neutral wire completes the operating circuit, even though it is at or close to 0 V.
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The earth wire has a different job: safety. In an earthed appliance with a metal case, it connects the case to earth. It normally carries no current, but provides a path for current if a fault makes the case live.