Question
The washing machine has a metal case. washing machine. washing mises the live wire to make an electrical connection with the metal case of the e) The earth wire is not connected to the metal case of the washing machine. Explain why it would not be safe for a person to touch the metal case.
Answer
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Olwen
Master · Tutor for 5 years
Answer
Without the earth wire being connected to the metal case, an undue electrical charge caused by a fault, such as the live wire touching the metal case, wouldn't have a direct, safe route to ground. Hence, someone touching the metal case would become this route, allowing the electric current to pass through their body potentially causing a severe electrical shock or electrocution.
Explanation
In a properly wired electrical appliance such as a washing machine, the earth wire is designed to provide a safe pathway for electric current to flow in case there is an issue that allows any live current to touch the metal casing (for example, if there's a fault that causes the live wire to become connected with the metal case). When you have an earth wire connected to the metal case of the washing machine, the electric current would find its way to the earth directly from the metal casing, leaving the complete body of the washing machine insulated.But if the earth wire isn't connected with that metal case as in the scenario e depicts, then electricity from a live wire that connects with the metal case won't have an indirect route (via earth wire). It means, once a person with no insulation adheres the metal casing, they too make an effective completion of the conducting route that complements the electricity flow. Theoretically, this person now tends to guide undesired electricity flow from the washing machine case due to attached live wire fault towards the ground (as human body too has a conductive property). This can potentially allow damaging or fatal amount of electricity through the individual's body, causing severe electrocution. Generally, appliances equipped with a metal body make higher fatal possibilities due to being excellent electricity conductors and adding up chances of giving an easier alternate path to the rogue electricity.Thus, disconnecting or having no connection of earth wire with the appliance's metal case amplifies the risk of potential danger when such appliance goes rogue because of live electricity, making them significantly hazardous.