Search In The AnswerBank

Web   Site

earth wire , what's it's function?

Avatar Image lebesset
11:01 on Fri 09/Dec/05 with modern 30mA trips replacing fuses , what function does the earth wire fulfill?
prev DVD will not play   Free i-pod with new Sky package. next
Report this question
Subscribe to question
 Find out more…

Please describe this clip for users who are unable to view You Tube videos, this is for their benefit.

Type your answer here
I want to subscribe to this thread

1 to 5 of 5

Avatar Image
rojash
(12:08 on Fri 09/Dec/05) Here's an example. The live wire on your cooker works loose and touches the metal casing. If the casing is earthed, the breaker will trip (almost) immediately. If it's not, the breaker will trip when the casing becomes earthed (i.e. when you touch it and current starts to flow to earth through you).

Personally, I prefer the first option.
Avatar Image
brachiopod
(15:21 on Fri 09/Dec/05)

The 'trips' are RCD's - Residual Current Devices.


A residual current is what occurs when there is a leakage to earth, the device detects it and 'trips'.


As rojash rightly says, this can be through you or through an earthing wire.
Avatar Image
RAYMAN
(15:33 on Fri 09/Dec/05) as every electrician knows is that the earth wire is a life saver.
Avatar Image
lebesset
(17:15 on Fri 09/Dec/05)
Question Author
so if I am using a power tool , touch the live wire by accident so that it earths through me , the trip won't save me?
Avatar Image
rojash
(17:37 on Fri 09/Dec/05) The trip may well save your life, but it may not, and even if it does, you may still experience a nasty shock. The trip will reduce the chance that the shock is fatal. Think of the trip as a safety belt. It's still better not to crash the car at all!

1 to 5 of 5

Post An Answer

Search In The AnswerBank

Web   Site

Latest posts