1. Natural Sciences and Technology Grade 6
Term 3: Energy and Change
Electrical Conductors and Insulators

2. Topic 2 Electrical Conductors and Insulators
Wiring a three-pin plug
Natural Sciences and Technology - Grade 6

3. The 3 colours of a three-pin plug
earth
neutral
live
Natural Sciences and Technology - Grade 6

4. The 3 colours of a three-pin plug
The LIVE wire is BROWN
It is connected to a fuse on the live pin. The electric current uses the live wire as its route.
Natural Sciences and Technology - Grade 6

5. The 3 colours of a three-pin plug
The NEUTRAL wire is BLUE
It is the route that the electric current takes when it exits an appliance, therefore the neutral wire has a voltage close to zero.
Natural Sciences and Technology - Grade 6

6. The 3 colours of a three-pin plug
The EARTH wire is GREEN & YELLOW
It is connected to the earth pin. It is used when the appliance has a metal casing to take any current away as soon as the live wire comes in contact with the casing.
Natural Sciences and Technology - Grade 6

7. Wiring a South African three-pin plug STEP 1: The electric cord
Cut the plastic insulation approximately 0.5cm away at the ends of the three wires inside the electrical cord.
Natural Sciences and Technology - Grade 6

8. Wiring a South African three-pin STEP 2: The copper strands
Twist the strands of copper wire gently with your fingers until each strand is tight.
Fold the twisted strands over.
Natural Sciences and Technology - Grade 6

9. Wiring a South African three-pin STEP 3: The plug cover
Unscrew or “snap” the plug cover.
Natural Sciences and Technology - Grade 6

10. Wiring a South African three-pin plug STEP 4: Undo small/tiny screws
The small/tiny screws on each of the plug's pins must be unscrewed.
Natural Sciences and Technology - Grade 6

11. Natural Sciences and Technology - Grade 6
Wiring a South African three-pin plug STEP 5: The copper and brown wires
The twisted copper wires must be inserted into the pins’ holes.
Insert the brown wire into the pin on the right [this pin is marked with the letter L or a brown spot].
Natural Sciences and Technology - Grade 6

12. Wiring a South African three-pin plug [ STEP 6. Tighten screws
Use a flat screwdriver to tighten the small / tiny screws on each pin of the plug.
Natural Sciences and Technology - Grade 6

13. Wiring a three-pin plug STEP 7: The green, yellow and blue wires
Make certain that the arrestor clips grip the electrical cord firmly.
Always insert the green and yellow wire into the top pin.
Insert the blue wire into the left pin [this pin is marked with the letter N or a blue spot].
Natural Sciences and Technology - Grade 6

14. Wiring a South African three-pin plug STEP 8: Replace cover
Replace the cover of the plug properly.
Natural Sciences and Technology - Grade 6