Final answer:
All services with a neutral must be grounded at the voltage source and the user's location to ensure safety by keeping the neutral wire at zero volts. Grounding helps prevent electrical shock by providing a low-resistance path for current return and fixing the appliance casing at zero volts.
Step-by-step explanation:
All services with a neutral must be grounded at the voltage source and the user's location to ensure that the neutral wire is at zero volts relative to the earth. This grounding provides a safe return path for the current and reduces the risk of electrical shock. Grounding the neutral wire, along with the case of an appliance through a green earth/ground wire, helps protect against electrical shock and thermal overload. Insulation colors for these wires can vary by region, underlining the importance of adhering to local electrical codes for safety.
Importance of Grounding
Grounding is essential as it fixes a conductor at zero volts by connecting it to the earth with a low-resistance path, effectively preventing potential electrical hazards. The neutral wire is made safe to touch, even if its insulation is missing, by making sure it is grounded, which also provides an alternative path for returning the current to complete the circuit. The grounding connections are typically located at the power source, such as the generating plant, and at the user's location, with a third connection grounding the appliance casing to prevent electrical shock.
Circuit breakers or fuses are used to protect against thermal overload and are placed in series on the live (also known as hot) wire, which provides the voltage and current to operate appliances.