Hi all, this is my second post in relation to the textbook available on this website. It's very good but still finding I need some clarification on some of the points it makes. I've linked to the page below:
https://www.allaboutcircuits.com/textbook/direct-current/chpt-3/safe-circuit-design/
I'm good down to the example that shows a kettle with a conductive case but the case has been connected to the ground via the earth wire in power cable. This is described as being electrically common with the ground and thus 0V. If the live wire were to somehow touch the casing would current flow between the hot wire the case and through the earth wire back to the 0V terminal? Because it creates a short circuit not passing through the load? A person would be safe because the short would trip the fuse in the plug or at the MCB? And the current flows through the earth wire rather than the higher resistance option of the person? If the fuse/MCB didn't exist wouldn't you have a dangerous short circuit and a shock hazard in the kettle casing? Because of the short circuit. That would not be electrically common though so I must misunderstand what's happening here. Thanks for the help on this all.
https://www.allaboutcircuits.com/textbook/direct-current/chpt-3/safe-circuit-design/
I'm good down to the example that shows a kettle with a conductive case but the case has been connected to the ground via the earth wire in power cable. This is described as being electrically common with the ground and thus 0V. If the live wire were to somehow touch the casing would current flow between the hot wire the case and through the earth wire back to the 0V terminal? Because it creates a short circuit not passing through the load? A person would be safe because the short would trip the fuse in the plug or at the MCB? And the current flows through the earth wire rather than the higher resistance option of the person? If the fuse/MCB didn't exist wouldn't you have a dangerous short circuit and a shock hazard in the kettle casing? Because of the short circuit. That would not be electrically common though so I must misunderstand what's happening here. Thanks for the help on this all.