When connecting lamp sockets to a lighting circuit, to which wire should the shell be connected to minimize shock risk?

• A. Black wire
• B. Red wire
• C. White wire
• D. Green wire

Answer: (C)

In electrical wiring, particularly in the context of lamp sockets connected to a lighting circuit, it is essential to ensure safety and minimize shock risk. In standard wiring practices, the white wire is typically the neutral wire.

Connecting the shell of the lamp socket to the neutral wire (the white wire) helps to ensure that the lamp and socket are at ground potential relative to the electrical supply. This means that if there is any fault or a break in the insulation, the electrical current would be directed away from the user, significantly reducing the risk of shock.

If the shell were to be connected to a hot wire, like the black or red wires (which are usually the live or hot conductors), any contact with the shell could result in an electric shock. The green wire is generally designated as the ground wire, which serves as a safety path for electrical faults but is not the correct choice for connecting the shell of a lamp socket. Therefore, connecting the shell to the white neutral wire is the safest choice in this scenario, effectively minimizing the risk of electric shock while using the lamp.