The Wild World of Wiring Trivia Quiz

Answer: Extension cord

Extension cords function by having several insulated wires transmit currents from one end to another. They are a very useful tool in our day-to-day activities, especially considering how reliant on electricity the world has become. While extension cords can come in handy to charge multiple devices at once when you don't have enough electrical outlets in your home or nearby, they pose a serious risk of fire if proper precautions are not taken.

In general, it is good practice not to plug in too many things at once to prevent the extension cord from overheating.

It is also critical to replace an extension cord that has been damaged immediately. Authorities in the U.S. estimate that there are thousands of house fires every year due to malfunctioning or overheated extension cords, so it's important to always be careful when using these!

Answer: Water

A common misconception is that water itself is a good conductor of electricity, causing this dangerous reaction. In reality, pure or distilled water is not a great conductor, but it is hard to find water in this state in nature or in our daily lives. Instead, the water we regularly use has substances in it (such as salt, ions, or other impurities) that turn water into an excellent conductor of electricity.

When water mixes with an electrical current, the electricity uses the ions in the water to travel through the water, causing burns, electrical shocks, and sometimes death.

This is why it is always important to keep electrical items away from water and make sure your hands are completely dry before handling any electrical equipment.

Answer: Copper

Like other metals also used to make wires, copper has a high melting point and is an excellent conductor of electricity. Copper is also very common because it is cheaper to use than other metals, such as gold or silver. Copper wires are ductile and flexible, allowing them to be bent and handled easily.

This material also tends to oxidize less than other metals, creating better durability. Finally, electrical wiring also is frequently made with copper because of its high resistance to heat and low level of resistivity. If an insulated copper wire becomes exposed, it could pose the danger of fire or a short circuit, so it should be replaced as soon as possible.

Answer: Tangled

Wires of all sorts can easily get tangled and cause a wide range of trouble, from minor inconveniences to deadly hazards. When cords or wires get tangled or are dangling around, they create an easy way for someone to accidentally fall down by tripping on them. An accident like this could not only cause physical damage to the person who falls, but also drag whatever is connected to the wire down, causing it to break. Tangled wires could also create the risk of electrical shocks or short circuits and resulting fires. It is good practice to make sure there aren't too many cables in one area or to tie or roll them together to prevent accidental falls.

"Tangled" is a 2010 film by Disney starring Mandy Moore as the voice of Rapunzel.

Answer: Flip cover

Flip covers are usually made of plastic or metal, and can typically be found in outlets that are located outdoors or on the ground if indoors. These covers help protect the outlets from damage coming from rain, dust, or other materials that could make the outlet malfunction (or worse, cause a fire or a short circuit). Flip covers are normally a cheap but important item to cover electrical outlets.

Answer: Test and Reset

A GFCI (which means ground fault circuit interrupter) outlet offers an additional layer of protection from electric shocks. Since bathrooms and kitchens are two places where the outlets can be dangerously close to water, the GFCI system protects users by "turning off" the electrical power when it senses a change in electrical current (which can come, for example, from water touching the outlet or an electric appliance that is plugged in).

It is good practice to test these outlets frequently to make sure they are functioning properly: this is done by pressing the Reset button, then Test, and then Reset once again (although the process may vary depending on the type of outlet).

Answer: Rubber

Insulated rubber gloves offer great protection from high voltage currents, heat, and other electricity-related hazards. Not all rubber gloves are made the same way, so electricians should be careful when choosing which ones to wear (for example, gloves with different resistance to voltage are sold). Like other aspects of electrical work, the gloves should be tested frequently to ensure they are always doing their job of protecting the electrician. Rubber is the material of choice because it is an insulator that stops any meaningful conduction of electricity.

Answer: Flash

Arc flash is a very dangerous phenomenon that can happen when a powerful discharge of electricity travels from one conductor to another. This explosion produces incredibly high heat, capable of causing permanent injury and death to any human who is in that range. The explosion creates a pressure wave that is capable of blowing up big pieces of equipment. Electricians must not wear fabrics like cotton because an arc flash could instantly ignite them. They should also wear protective glasses and face shields to protect them not only from arc flashes but also from sparks and other related dangers that stem from working with electricity.

Flash is also the name of a superhero created by DC Comics whose superpower is moving at extremely high speeds.

Answer: Off

Before beginning any sort of wiring or electrical work, it is much safer to turn the power off. That way, the person who is fixing or handling the wires can touch, unplug, or otherwise manipulate the cables with no electrical current flowing at the same time. If possible, breakers should be taped to the "off" position to ensure it does not accidentally turn on again.

A voltage tester can also be used to ensure that electricity is not flowing. Doing electrical work with the power on comes with the risk of electrocution or short circuits that can cause fires.

Answer: Baking soda

Electrical fires can be prevented by taking simple safety steps, some of them which are included in this quiz. Federal and local authorities in different countries issue guidelines for safety practices that should be followed by anyone who works with electricity. Electrical fires tend to be caused by poor maintenance, overheating, or exposed wires. These are all issues that can be for the most part avoided proactively with simple actions.

If even after taking these precautions a fire occurs, it is also important to know how to react. The safest alternative would be to use a fire extinguisher to quickly put out the fire. If one is unavailable, however, baking soda can be used to put it out because the carbon dioxide that it releases when exposed to heat helps stop the fire. Baking soda and salt are also suggested to deal with grease fires in kitchens when a fire extinguisher is not readily available. Fire sand is another viable option.

Water would not be a good alternative for electrical fires because water is a great conductor of electricity. That means that if water comes into contact with the wires, the water could potentially make the fire even worse instead of helping to put it out.