Old electrical wiring - which wire's which?

[WouldBe]

Is the bit in bold correct? Surely anything with a motor would have run backwards if it was plugged in the wrong way around?

This is alternating current AC it reverses polarity 50 times a second. If it mattered which way round you plugged it in it would also make a difference when you plugged it in or even when you switched it on.

If neutral is being used as an earth then you definately don't want to wire it up wrong.

 

[marco mark]

The one with a black line i would have thought should be live!!

 

[arronsmith]

WouldBe speaks the truth.

But as always with electricity, if there is any trace of doubt, consult a qualified electrician. Don't ask random people on the Internet.

Well, obviously you can ask random people on the Internet as well...

 

[Jazzz]

yeah I would think it wouldn't actually matter which way you wired it, as long as they go into the live/neutral sockets. Not the earth.

However be aware you would be using an unearthed appliance.