Domestic Electricity Vocabulary

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts related to domestic electricity, including cost calculation, AC/DC current, plug components, safety features like fuses and circuit breakers, and ring mains.

Has constant magnitude and direction, usually produced with cells/batteries.

DC (Direct Current)

Has a continuously changing direction and magnitude, is produced in power stations.

AC (Alternating Current)

230V; a.c.; 50Hz

UK's Electricity Supply

If too large a current flows due to a fault, the wire inside melts/fuses, preventing overheating or fire.

Fuse

Carries the current to the house/appliance at a high voltage; switches and fuses are placed here

Live Wire

Completes the circuit and carries the current away at low/zero voltage.

Neutral Wire

A safety wire which can carry current safely into the ground if a fault develops in a metal-framed appliance.

Earth Wire

The wires are insulated with a plastic sheath, and the device has another layer of electrical insulation (e.g., plastic outer casing), so it does not need an Earth wire.

Double Insulation

Uses an electromagnet to separate connections and break the circuit when the current becomes large enough; can be reset.

Miniature Circuit Breaker (MCB)

Switches off the circuit when there is a difference between the currents in the live and neutral wires of the appliance; protects the user.

Residual Current Circuit Breakers (RCCB)

A looped parallel circuit where cables can be thinner, each part of the cable carries less current.

Ring Main