Final answer:
All appliances currently manufactured or imported into the United States must be equipped with safety features such as circuit breakers and fuses, the three-wire system, and ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) to prevent thermal and shock hazards.
Step-by-step explanation:
All appliances currently manufactured or imported into the United States must be equipped with certain safety features to prevent thermal and shock hazards. These safety features include:
- Circuit breakers and fuses - These devices interrupt excessive currents to prevent thermal hazards.
- The three-wire system - This system utilizes live/hot, neutral, and ground wires, and grounds the neutral wire and case of the appliance to guard against thermal and shock hazards.
- A ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) - This device detects the loss of current to unintentional paths, preventing shock.
By requiring these safety features, electrical appliances can operate safely and prevent potential accidents.