Question

What is a switch?Which wire is used in on-off switch?

Answer 1

Types of wires in an electric circuit

1. complete circuit of a household is formed by live and neutral wires. Live wire is directly connected to power supply sources and hence carries the current at high voltages (about 220-230 volt).
2. Neutral wire returns current to the main source after passing through the device and completes the circuit.
3. Plugs connected to heavy-duty appliances have a green wire that is designed for safety purposes. This wire is connected to the ground to limit the flow of increased voltage through the device.

Switch

Switch is an electrical device that controls flow of electrons through a circuit. 'OFF' position of switch interrupts flow of electrons through the circuit hence electric appliance stops working, whereas ‘ON’ position of the switch completes the circuit hence the connected electric appliance works with flow of current.

Wire used in O-OFF switch

1. Live wire is always connected to the switch, so that OFF position of the switch opens up the circuit and blocks flow of current to the device connected.
2. In case switch is connected to the neutral wire, current flow continues in both ON and OFF positions of the switch, which may result in damage of electric appliance.