What are the three prongs of a 110-volt power tool cord used for?

The three prongs of a 110-volt power tool cord serve specific roles that are essential for safe and effective operation of electrical devices. One prong is designated as the hot wire, which carries the electrical current to the device. The second prong is the neutral wire, which completes the circuit by providing a path for the current to return to the power source. The third prong is the ground wire, which serves as a safety feature to protect against electrical shock and helps to safely redirect any faults in the electrical system to the ground.

Having both a hot and a neutral wire is crucial for the proper functioning of the power tool, as they work together to ensure that electricity can flow through the device as intended. The ground prong is vital for safety; if there were a malfunction or a short circuit, the ground prong provides a pathway for stray electricity, reducing the risk of shock to the user.

This configuration of one hot, one neutral, and one ground is standard for ensuring not just operational efficiency but also safety in electrical systems, which is why this choice accurately describes the purpose of the prongs in a 110-volt power tool cord.