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How does a neutral wire work?

Updated: 5/25/2024
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10y ago

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Neutral wires are actually ground wires. They enable the circuit to be completed.

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Charlie Schulist

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2y ago
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AnswerBot

2mo ago

A neutral wire completes the circuit by providing a return path for the current back to the electrical source. It carries the current back from the load to the electrical panel in a balanced electrical system. The neutral wire is typically grounded to prevent electrical shock and is colored white in the United States.

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10y ago

Appliances are supplied with current through two conducting wires called the live and the neutral. Most appliances also have an earth wire.

The neutral wire is the one which is connected to earth at the nearest transformer supplying the property, so the voltage between neutral and earth normally does not exceed a few volts, which is due to the supply current flowing through the resistance of the neutral wire.

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11y ago

The neutral circuit conductor is used to connect the circuit load back to the common point in the distribution panel. In most cases the neutral in the distribution panel is common to other circuits. In the distribution panel the neutral is connected to the system ground through a plate or ground rod. This grounding is to try and get the whole electrical system, utility and service distribution, to the lowest common potential of zero ohms. Zero ohms is theoretical as different properties of earths soil conditions vary. In North America a value of 5 ohms or less is acceptable.

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Do you need a neutral wire for a light to work?

In most cases, yes. A neutral wire is usually required for a light to work properly, as it completes the circuit and allows electricity to flow to and from the light fixture. If there is no neutral wire, the light may not function correctly or at all.


Can a green wire be used for a neutral?

'Can' yes. 'Should' no. <<>> Never use a green wire for a neutral. It is colour coded for a reason and that is to protect the people that work on electrical equipment. If you turn a ground wire into a neutral it then becomes a current carrying conductor. There are times in the electrical trade when grounds have to be disconnected and if it is used as a neutral and the tradesman is holding one end and touching a grounded object a shock will occur. Again never use a green ground wire as a neutral.


What color is neutral wire in Australia?

The colour of the neutral wire in Australia is blue with marking N.


Can an electromechanical energy meter work without the neutral wire provided in the meter?

No, an electromechanical energy meter requires both the line and neutral wires to accurately measure electricity consumption. The neutral wire completes the circuit and allows the meter to measure the flow of electricity passing through it. Without the neutral wire, the meter will not function properly.


Should neutral wire of lamp be connected to the 3amp or the 6 amp side of a canopy switch?

You should never switch the neutral wire. The neutral of the appliance should be connected directly to the neutral wire leading to the service panel neutral bar.

Related questions

Do you need a neutral wire for a light to work?

In most cases, yes. A neutral wire is usually required for a light to work properly, as it completes the circuit and allows electricity to flow to and from the light fixture. If there is no neutral wire, the light may not function correctly or at all.


What is a floating neutral wire?

a loose connection of a neutral wire


Is red or white neutral for electrical work?

In residential wiring the white wire is neutral on the 120 volt circuits. On a 3way circuit the red is the traveler and the white is neutral. On a 240 volt 3 wire connection the white & black are hot. On a 240 volt 4 wire connection the black and red are hot and the white is neutral.


What does an open neutral mean?

Typical home wiring will have one hot wire, one neutral wire, and one ground wire per circuit. An open neutral would indicate that the neutral wire, usually white wire, is broken.


Is the ridged wire neutral or hot?

If wired properly the ridged wire is the neutral.


Which side of the White neutral wire do you connect the Black power wire?

The neutral wire and power wire are never connected together.


Can a green wire be used for a neutral?

'Can' yes. 'Should' no. <<>> Never use a green wire for a neutral. It is colour coded for a reason and that is to protect the people that work on electrical equipment. If you turn a ground wire into a neutral it then becomes a current carrying conductor. There are times in the electrical trade when grounds have to be disconnected and if it is used as a neutral and the tradesman is holding one end and touching a grounded object a shock will occur. Again never use a green ground wire as a neutral.


Can a ground wire be used as a neutral wire?

No


Is the neutral wire the return wire?

yes


What color is neutral wire in Australia?

The colour of the neutral wire in Australia is blue with marking N.


Can an electromechanical energy meter work without the neutral wire provided in the meter?

No, an electromechanical energy meter requires both the line and neutral wires to accurately measure electricity consumption. The neutral wire completes the circuit and allows the meter to measure the flow of electricity passing through it. Without the neutral wire, the meter will not function properly.


Which is the Hot wire and which is the Neutral wire if the wires you see are a Brown a Blue and a Yellow Green wire?

In electrical wiring, the live or "hot" wire is typically brown or red, the neutral wire is typically blue or black, and the ground wire is yellow or green. So, in this case, the brown wire is likely the hot wire, the blue wire is the neutral wire, and the yellow green wire is the ground wire.