Question Author
Thank Jay, tc and knobby. Sorry guys, but electricity is not my strong point. This doesnt explain to me why people sometimes kill themsleves. I have this idea in my head that appliances are earthed so that if they become live the current passes back to earth, rather than to the person who is touching the appliance and electrocuting themselves (eg an electric shower). It is not obvious to me why this happens. I have heard of people touching microphones and guitars that were not earthed and electrocuting themselves in this way. I have also been known to touch a live wire and although receiving a shock I am still here to post this query. A friend of mine was drilling a wall and I think he hit a wire (could have been a pipe) and received a serious shock but is still with us. Im not sure if the drill was earthed (I think they only have a live and neutral dont they?) but he has now bought a cordless! Why can't electric lamps and lawnmowers become live?
Words of one syllable please !!!
ps I think this sort of thing should be taught a school instead of useless subjects like rugby and swimming (lol).