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Conductive is a way of saying that electrical current can travel.
Electrical conductivity varies between materials.
For example, copper wire has a much better conductivity than rubber. Other conductive materials include aluminum, tap water and steel.
Non-conductive materials include glass, wood and ceramic. Electrical appliances and fittings with conductive parts (such as a metal handle or cover) must be bonded to earth via an earth wire. Structural metalwork also needs to be earthed. (AS/NZS 3000:2007 – section 5).
This prevents current passing from a conductive surface to an unsuspecting person when a fault occurs.
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