Final answer:
In electrical wiring, a three-wire system with distinct color-codings is used to identify live/hot, neutral, and earth/ground wires. Proper grounding and safety devices like circuit breakers are essential for preventing electric shocks and thermal hazards.
Step-by-step explanation:
Electrical wiring in modern household and industrial settings typically employs a three-wire system for safety and functionality. This system includes three different wires, each with a unique purpose and color-coding to help identify them. The live/hot wire is used for carrying current to the appliance and may be coded as brown, red, black, blue, or grey depending on regional standards. The neutral wire, which typically returns current back from the appliance, can be blue, black, or white. Lastly, the earth/ground wire provides a safe path for electrical current in case of a fault and is often green, but may also be yellow or simply a bare wire.
Grounding both the neutral wire and the case of an appliance is an essential safety feature to prevent electric shocks. Grounding ensures that in case there is a fault and the casing accidentally becomes live, the circuit will break, to prevent a dangerous situation. This system is complemented by other safety devices such as circuit breakers or fuses to protect against overcurrent scenarios which can cause thermal hazards.
It is critical to use the correct wiring color codes for your region to ensure safety and compliance with local regulations. For those who are colorblind or work in systems with the potential for wire color confusion, striped coatings or other markings can be used for clear identification.