Which statement best describes the neutral wire?

Which statement best describes the neutral wire?

• A. Copper wire coated in blue plastic that carries current away from the component and is at or near 0 V
• B. Copper wire coated in brown plastic that carries current toward the component
• C. Copper wire coated in green and yellow plastic that connects to earth
• D. Copper wire coated in blue plastic that carries current toward the component at around 240 V

Answer: (A)

The neutral wire is the return path for current in a mains circuit and sits at about earth potential, close to 0 V. It is colored blue in many wiring standards. This means it carries current away from the appliance or component and back toward the power source, completing the circuit without being at a high voltage relative to the earth. This distinguishes it from the live wire, which is brown and carries current toward the component at mains voltage (around 230–240 V, depending on the country), and from the earth wire, which is green/yellow and serves as a safety path to earth rather than part of the normal current loop. So a blue-coated wire that carries current away from the component and is at or near 0 V correctly describes the neutral wire.

The neutral wire is the return path for current in a mains circuit and sits at about earth potential, close to 0 V. It is colored blue in many wiring standards. This means it carries current away from the appliance or component and back toward the power source, completing the circuit without being at a high voltage relative to the earth.

This distinguishes it from the live wire, which is brown and carries current toward the component at mains voltage (around 230–240 V, depending on the country), and from the earth wire, which is green/yellow and serves as a safety path to earth rather than part of the normal current loop.

So a blue-coated wire that carries current away from the component and is at or near 0 V correctly describes the neutral wire.