Final answer:
The IEC-320 plug's three holes are the live (or hot), neutral, and ground. The correct answer to the question is B. live, neutral. These components respectively carry the current, provide a return path for it, and serve as a safety feature by connecting the appliance casing to the earth.
Step-by-step explanation:
The IEC-320 plug, which is part of a three-wire system, has three holes: the live, the neutral, and the ground. Therefore, the appropriate answer is B. live, neutral. The live or hot wire supplies voltage and current for the operation of an appliance. The neutral wire is the return path for the current and is typically at zero volts compared to the earth, making it safe to handle if its insulation is missing. Finally, the ground or earth/ground wire is a low-resistance path directly to the earth, and it is utilized to protect against electric shock by ensuring that the case of the appliance is also at zero volts relative to the earth. Insulation on wires is color-coded to identify the different functions, but these codes can vary by region. It's essential to determine the color code in your area. Typically, live or hot wires can be brown, red, black, blue, or grey, and the neutral wire may be blue, black, or white. The earth/ground wire is often green, yellow, or just a bare wire. Striped coatings are also used for the benefit of those who are colorblind.