Terminals in Indian AC Socket
As you all know that AC plugs have three headers
Earth is a one is which has zero potential which is actually grounded to earth (which is mainly connected to the metal frame of the appliances) which is a method to protect from current leakage in the appliances.
Neutral also has zero potential but it used along with the line wire current flows only there is a potential difference in the circuit
Line is a wire that carries current in the current (switch is usually placed in the line wire)
AC socket must be according to the above picture, you can check the socket with a cheap tester. if the tester lights then the terminal is Line Terminal,
and if the tester light is off then the terminal is Neutral Terminal.
What happens when the terminals are swapped
Actually, the potential in line is a very high AC voltage, so the switch is always is placed in the line wire so the current flow can be stopped, some electrical appliances have their own switch in it , if terminals are interchanged in socket,the switch will be in the neutral socket, in this condition even in the switch is off, the current flows in the circuit and when you accidentally touch the appliance you will have a severe electric shock, so it is important to check wiring.
