Mains Electricity

In the USA and Canada, mains electricity is supplied to mains sockets as 120V a.c.. In the UK, Ireland, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Nigeria and South Africa it is 230V a.c. and in Jamaica it is 110V a.c.

A.c. means 'alternating current'. This means that the direction of the electric current goes backwards and forwards very quickly; 60 times a second in America and 50 times a second in Europe, Australia and Africa.

Fuses are used to prevent fires as they will cut off the power if too much current accidentally flows. RCDs will prevent electric shocks by tripping the supply if not all of the current leaving the live wire returns down the neutral wire; this happens during shock or fault conditions. Earth wires also prevent electric shock risks as they prevent metal casings from ever becoming electrically live.