In a typical three-pin plug, what are the voltages for live, neutral, and earth wires?

In a typical three-pin plug, what are the voltages for live, neutral, and earth wires?

• A. Live 230 V, Neutral 0 V, Earth 0 V
• B. Live 0 V, Neutral 230 V, Earth 0 V
• C. Live 230 V, Neutral 230 V, Earth 0 V
• D. Live 0 V, Neutral 0 V, Earth 230 V

Answer: (A)

In mains wiring, the live conductor carries the actual supply voltage, the neutral conductor is kept at or near earth potential, and the earth conductor is a safety path at earth potential. That means the live wire is around 230 V higher than the earth, while the neutral is close to 0 V relative to earth under normal conditions. The earth wire is bonded to earth and also sits at 0 V. So the correct description is live about 230 V, neutral about 0 V, and earth about 0 V. In practice, neutral can have a small voltage rise when current flows, but it’s still near 0 V overall, and earth remains at 0 V for safety.

In mains wiring, the live conductor carries the actual supply voltage, the neutral conductor is kept at or near earth potential, and the earth conductor is a safety path at earth potential. That means the live wire is around 230 V higher than the earth, while the neutral is close to 0 V relative to earth under normal conditions. The earth wire is bonded to earth and also sits at 0 V. So the correct description is live about 230 V, neutral about 0 V, and earth about 0 V. In practice, neutral can have a small voltage rise when current flows, but it’s still near 0 V overall, and earth remains at 0 V for safety.