The live wire is connected to the 230V supply from the power station. It is coloured . If you touch the live wire of an appliance you will get a which could kill you. The switch in an appliance is always connected to the live wire so that when the switch is off, the appliance is disconnected from the supply.

The neutral wire is used to complete the circuit from the appliance to the mains. It is coloured . If you touch the neutral wire you can still get a shock.

The earth wire does not normally carry . It is a device, which protects the appliance It only carries a current if there is a in the appliance. All appliances with parts that can be touched must have an earth wire. The Earth wire is coloured and .

Some appliances are double insulated. This means that it is impossible to touch the live wire inside. If an appliance is double insulated it does not need an wire and there are only wires in the flex; the live wire and the neutral wire.