Electrical safety
4.4.2What the syllabus asks of you
- State the hazards of: (a) damaged insulation (b) overheating cables (c) damp conditions (d) excess current from overloading of plugs, extension leads, single and multiple sockets when using a mains supply
- Explain the use and operation of trip switches and fuses and choose appropriate fuse ratings and trip switch settings
- Explain what happens when a live wire touches a metal case that is earthed
- Explain why the outer casing of an electrical appliance must be either non-conducting (double- insulated) or earthed
- Know that a mains circuit consists of a live wire (line wire), a neutral wire and an earth wire and explain why a switch must be connected into the live wire for the circuit to be switched off safely
- Explain why fuses and circuit breakers are connected into the live wire
Read the notes first
Chapter 4: Electrical safety
Drill this topic
Every question on Electrical safety, untimed, marked as you go.
Make a worksheet
Choose the years and how many questions, then print it with the answers on separate pages.
21 questions
1Oct / Nov 2025 · Paper 11 · Q34Show mark scheme →
A1 A
B5 A
C13 A
D20 A
Mark scheme
2Oct / Nov 2024 · Paper 11 · Q35Show mark scheme →
A0.5 A
B1.2 A
C1.5 A
D13 A
Mark scheme
3May / June 2024 · Paper 12 · Q32Show mark scheme →
AIt must be earthed and have a fuse in the live wire.
BIt must be earthed and have a fuse in the neutral wire.
CIt needs a fuse in the live wire but does not need to be earthed.
DIt needs a fuse in the neutral wire but does not need to be earthed.
Mark scheme
4May / June 2024 · Paper 12 · Q33Show mark scheme →
Ato complete the circuit so that the appliance works
Bto conduct thermal energy so that the appliance does not get too hot
Cto prevent a person getting a shock
Dto protect the appliance from a current that is too large
Mark scheme
5Oct / Nov 2023 · Paper 11 · Q28Show mark scheme →
AP, Q and R
BP and Q only
CP and R only
DQ and R only
Mark scheme
6Oct / Nov 2022 · Paper 12 · Q34Also set in Oct / Nov 2022 Paper 11Show mark scheme →
Ato earth the appliance
Bto protect the appliance
Cto change the power of the appliance
Dto change the voltage supplied to the appliance
Mark scheme
7May / June 2022 · Paper 11 · Q35Show mark scheme →
AThe bare earth wire in the cable touches the bare live wire.
BThe metal casing of the kettle touches the bare earth wire.
CThe bare neutral wire in the cable touches the bare earth wire.
DThe live wire breaks without touching any other wire.
Mark scheme
8May / June 2022 · Paper 12 · Q37Show mark scheme →
AIt has a live wire.
BIt has a neutral wire.
CIt has double insulation.
DThe cable is insulated.
Mark scheme
9May / June 2021 · Paper 11 · Q31Show mark scheme →
A4.0 A
B4.2 A
C5.0 A
D13.0 A
Mark scheme
10May / June 2021 · Paper 12 · Q36Show mark scheme →
Aearth pin
Bfuse
Clive pin
Dneutral pin
Mark scheme
11May / June 2020 · Paper 11 · Q40Show mark scheme →
AA very large current overloads the wiring, causing a fire.
BThe kettle boils the water less quickly.
CThe kettle uses more energy to boil the water.
DThe water boils at a higher temperature.
Mark scheme
12Oct / Nov 2019 · Paper 11 · Q36Show mark scheme →
Aswitch: live wire, fuse: live wire
Bswitch: live wire, fuse: neutral wire
Cswitch: neutral wire, fuse: live wire
Dswitch: neutral wire, fuse: neutral wire
Mark scheme
13Oct / Nov 2019 · Paper 12 · Q36Show mark scheme →
Athe live wire. / a thin wire melts and breaks the circuit.
Bthe live wire. / an electromagnet opens a switch.
Cthe neutral wire. / a thin wire melts and breaks the circuit.
Dthe neutral wire. / an electromagnet opens a switch.
Mark scheme
14May / June 2019 · Paper 12 · Q35Also set in May / June 2019 Paper 11Show mark scheme →
Athe live, the neutral and the earth
Bthe live and the earth only
Cthe neutral and the earth only
Dthe neutral and the live only
Mark scheme
15May / June 2019 · Paper 12 · Q36Show mark scheme →
AEach heater only receives half the correct current.
BEach heater receives twice the correct current.
CThe circuit wiring connecting the heaters to the mains may overheat.
DThe fuse melts when the heaters are switched on.
Mark scheme
16Oct / Nov 2018 · Paper 12 · Q33Also set in Oct / Nov 2018 Paper 11Show mark scheme →
AA lamp in the circuit can be isolated from the supply.
BThe fuse is in the neutral wire.
CThe switch does not work in the neutral wire.
DToo much current flows in the earth wire.
Mark scheme
17May / June 2018 · Paper 11 · Q31Show mark scheme →
Ato earth the appliance
Bto earth the plug
Cto protect the user from electric shock
Dto protect the wiring from overheating
Mark scheme
18Oct / Nov 2017 · Paper 11 · Q33Show mark scheme →
Ato complete the circuit
Bto ensure the casing is not at a dangerous voltage
Cto ensure the fuse blows when the current in the appliance is too large
Dto protect the appliance from overheating
Mark scheme
19Oct / Nov 2016 · Paper 12 · Q35Show mark scheme →
AIt increases the resistance of the circuit.
BIt makes it easier for the current to flow.
CIt protects the wiring from overheating.
DIt reduces the voltage across the lamp.
Mark scheme
20May / June 2016 · Paper 11 · Q33Show mark scheme →
Alive — fuse — neutral; switch in neutral side, lamp at bottom
Blive — switch — neutral; fuse in neutral side, lamp at bottom
Clive — fuse — neutral; switch in live side, lamp at bottom
Dlive — fuse — neutral; switch in neutral side, lamp at bottom
Mark scheme
21May / June 2016 · Paper 12 · Q30Show mark scheme →
AThe cable cover C is not under the clip S.
BThe earth wire E is connected to the wrong terminal.
CThe fuse F is connected to the live wire L.
DThe live wire L is connected to the wrong end of the fuse F.
Mark scheme