North Carolina Home Inspector Practice Exam

In a circuit box, the green wire is a ____ wire.

1. Neutral

2. Live

3. Ground

4. Service

The correct answer is: Ground

In a circuit box, the green wire is designated as a ground wire. The primary function of the ground wire is to provide a safe pathway for electricity to flow back to the ground in the event of a fault, such as a short circuit. This helps to prevent electric shocks and reduces the risk of fires caused by electrical failures. Ground wires are essential in electrical systems as they ensure that excess electricity does not accumulate on metal surfaces or components, which could pose a danger to individuals or property. Color coding, such as using green for ground wires, is a standardized practice to enhance safety and clarity in electrical installations. The other options do not apply here: neutral wires are typically white or gray, live wires can be various colors depending on local codes, and service wires refer to the main feed of electricity into a building, rather than a specific grounding wire like the green one. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for recognizing the role of each component in an electrical system.