Final answer:
The correct term for the conductors between the service equipment or generator switchboard and the final branch-circuit overcurrent device is Main conductors. These conductors, along with devices such as circuit breakers, GFIs, and isolation transformers, play a crucial role in preventing thermal and shock hazards in electrical systems.
Step-by-step explanation:
The conductors that run from the service equipment or the generator switchboard of an isolated plant to the final branch-circuit overcurrent device are known as Main conductors. These are vital components in ensuring electrical safety in both residential and commercial settings. Main conductors carry the electrical load within a building or between buildings and must be properly sized and insulated to handle the current without overheating, which could lead to thermal hazards.
Circuit breakers and fuses are integral in protecting these conductors by interrupting excess current flow, thus preventing potential fires or damage to the electrical system. In a typical three-wire system, the use of live/hot, neutral, and earth/ground wires, as well as the grounding of the neutral wire and the case of the appliance, contributes to the safety against both thermal and shock hazards. Lastly, Ground Fault Interrupters (GFIs) and isolation transformers also play essential roles in safeguarding individuals from shock by either detecting loss of current to unintended paths or insulating the device from the original source to prevent a complete circuit from forming through a person.