Key Components
While designs vary around the world, most modern electrical sockets share these fundamental components:
- Live (or Hot) Terminal: Carries the electrical current from the power source.
- Neutral Terminal: Provides the return path for the current to complete the circuit.
- Ground Terminal: A crucial safety feature that provides a direct path to the ground for any excess or stray electrical current. This prevents electric shock and protects appliances from damage in the event of a fault or surge.