Manufacturing Skill Standards Council (MSSC) Safety Assessment Practice Test

The 3 prongs of a 110-volt power tool's cord perform what purpose?

1. Two of them conduct electricity and the third holds the plug in the outlet

2. Two of them are for AC current and the third is used for DC current

3. One is hot, one is neutral and one is the cheater

4. One is the hot, one is the neutral and one is the ground

The correct answer is: One is the hot, one is the neutral and one is the ground

The three prongs of a 110-volt power tool's cord serve distinct purposes essential for safe and effective operation. One prong is designated as the hot wire, which carries the electrical current to the tool. The second prong is the neutral wire, which serves as a return path for the electrical current. The third prong is the ground wire, which is critical for safety. It provides a pathway for electrical current to safely dissipate into the ground in case of a fault or malfunction, such as a short circuit. This grounding feature helps prevent electrical shock and protects both the user and the equipment. In this context, understanding the specific roles of these prongs is crucial for ensuring safety and compliance with electrical standards in manufacturing environments. The presence of a ground wire, in particular, is a fundamental aspect of grounding electrical equipment to minimize risk.