Combined Science GCSE
Earth wire
What Earth wire means in Combined Science GCSE, as defined for AQA.
Definitions of Earth wire
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Reference: AQA
Provides a low-resistance path so a fault current is large enough to melt the fuse, carrying current only when a fault occurs.
A safety route at 0 V that provides a low-resistance path for fault current so a fuse melts or a circuit breaker trips.
A safety wire connected to the metal case of an appliance to stop the appliance becoming live.
It is at 0 V and normally carries no current; it only carries a current if there is a fault.
A safety wire connected to the metal case of an appliance that normally carries no current.
The wire whose insulation is green and yellow stripes in a three-core cable.
Topics that use Earth wire
- Mains electricity (AQA GCSE)
Related terms
- colour code
- double insulation
- Electrical safety
- Function and placement of switches
- fuse
- Fuses and circuit breakers
- Insulation
- Isolation from the supply
Using Earth wire in the exam
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