Eli5 – Why is there both neutral & ground wires in light switch?
In: 5
The ground wire is there for safety. It’s meant to carry high current, so if anything shorts directly to ground it’ll trip a circuit breaker.
With a GFCI/RCD, if anything tries to pass current to ground whatsoever it’ll cut the power.
As for why they’re both in a light switch, modern electrical code generally requires all 3 (live, neutral, ground) to be run to the box, and it’s handy to have if you want to install a shaver plug, (where available,) a smart light switch, or any other active electrical/electronic device.
(Note: IANAE, and this is not electrical advice)
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