Q&A – Electrics

Is it dangerous to touch the conductors of a power cable?

This concerns electricity available in households, specifically AC at 230 V.

Conductor Same potential as ground? Dangerous?
Phase No Yes 1
Neutral Yes No
Protective Yes No 2

1 It actually depends on the isolation towards the ground.
2 That conductor transmits current just in an error case.


How do I find out if an electronic component is broken?

Component Broken
Diode (silicon) Multimeter: Not 0.7V/0.0V in/against flow direction
Capacitor Optical: The head is convex