Household 120-V outlets are made to accept three-pronged plugs. One of the prongs attaches to the "live" wire at 120 V, and another attaches to the "neutral" wire that is connected to ground. What is the round third prong for?
A) It serves as a backup to the hot wire.
B) Nothing electrical, it is for mechanical sturdiness.
C) It connects the case of the appliance directly to ground for safety purposes.
D) It lets the appliance run if the neutral wire breaks.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The third prong is a grounding prong that connects the case of the appliance directly to ground, providing a path for electrical current to safely dissipate in case of a fault, thus enhancing safety.

Household 120-V Outlets Are Made to Accept Three-Pronged Plugs