Final answer:
An uninsulated wire in a 120V electrical system represents a wire with no protective covering. The neutral wire is part of the three-wire system and is connected to the earth/ground at the voltage source and user location. The neutral wire is forced to be at zero volts relative to the ground, making it safe to touch even if its insulation is missing.
Step-by-step explanation:
An uninsulated wire in a 120V electrical system represents a wire with no protective covering.
The neutral wire, which is part of the three-wire system, is one of the wires in a 120V electrical circuit. It returns the current to complete the circuit. The neutral wire is connected to the earth/ground at the voltage source and user location, and it is forced to be at zero volts relative to ground, making it safe to touch even if its insulation is missing.
The live/hot wire, on the other hand, supplies voltage and current to operate the appliance. It is important to note that insulation colors may vary in different regions, so it is essential to check the local color codes to determine the purpose of each wire.