Household Wiring “Alternating Current” is used in Households. This means that the current – the flow of electrons - moves one way and then reverses direction 50 times every second. Rather than talking about Positive and Negative terminals of a battery supplying the energy, we talk about the ACTIVE or LIVE wire and the NEUTRAL wire. The potential (voltage) of the ACTIVE wire is constantly changing, while the potential (voltage) of the NEUTRAL wire is always zero. The effective voltage is 240V in Australia but may be 110V in other countries such as the USA.

Household Wiring The following animation will show you examples of two circuits in your house. The Earth wire is also shown connected to a 3 pin plug. You will need to click to work through the animation. When you have finished, colour your diagram to show the Active, Neutral, Earth wires.

Household Wiring Active Neutral Earth Lights Circuit Powerpoint Circuit