Earthing of the power supply line

Principle

Fatal accidents can occur when electrical appliances are handled in a household. Most of such accidents result from careless behaviour or lack of knowledge. The person model is to be used to demonstrate which parts of an electric circuit are extremely dangerous to touch.
Power is supplied to a household via an L-lead connected to the supply voltage and an earthed N-lead. The earthing of the N-lead is necessary to produce a steady potential against earth (important when lightning strikes or insulation is faulty). The earthing of the N-lead is associated with dangers, however, as an electric circuit can then be closed to earth. This experiment demonstrates when there is danger because of the earthing of the N-lead and how such danger can be avoided.

Tasks

Which dangers are associated with electric current?

Set up an electric circuit with a safety fuse, switch and filament lamp. In a power supply network there is an L-lead and an earthed N-lead. Use the person model to examine the dangers which are associated with electric current and with the earthing of the N-lead.

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