Understanding AC Outlets: How Safe are They to Touch?

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AC electrical outlets typically have one hot wire, one neutral wire, and one ground wire. Touching the ground or neutral wire is generally safe, provided that no devices on the circuit are malfunctioning. However, touching the hot wire can lead to electric shock, making it dangerous. Concerns were raised about the safety of encouraging students to touch AC mains connections, highlighting the risks involved. Overall, caution is advised when handling electrical outlets and connections.
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This isn't anything really involved, I just have a question about AC electrical power outlets. Most have 3 wires behind them, so it is plausible to say that only one of them is safe to touch? This was a multiple choice question on a quiz I had and I figured that since there are two "hot" wires and one "ground" wire, the two "hot" wires couldn't be touched by bare hands.
 
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There is a single hot wire, a single neutral wire, and a single ground wire. The ground wire is typically connected to the neutral in the circuit breaker in your house. You could touch either ground or neutral without any consequence, assuming that none of the devices connected to your circuit are malfunctioning.

- Warren
 
So your prof is encouraging his/her students to touch AC Mains connections? Pretty dumb, IMHO. Sounds like they haven't rewired many things hot -- I've been shocked too many times to take these things lightly.
 
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