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The neutral wire is simply a grounded power carrying conductor.
It is different than earth ground, which is a protective ground, that is not intended to carry current, however, earth ground and neutral are connected together at the distribution panel. Nevertheless, they serve different purposes, and may not be interchanged in usage.
The purpose in grounding one of the power carrying conductors is to limit the possible voltage potential that might exist between an ungrounded conductor, such as hot, or phase hot, so as to minimize the potential electrocution hazard that might exist if someone were to come into conduct with a hot conductor.
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When upsizing wire for voltage drop how much smaller can the neutral wire be the next phase conductor?
The neutral wire should be the same size as your conducters
Can loose neutral wire effect the operation of Earth Leakage Circuit Breaker?
Yes, a loose neutral wire can effect the operation of Earth Leakage Circuit Breaker.
What does the term floating neutral mean?
This could mean a couple of different things. At some point in the power distribution system, the neutral bus is normally tied to the ground bus. If the neutral is not grounded, this could be called a floating neutral. More often, the term is used to describe a load, such as a light fixture or motor where the neutral wire has accidentally not been connected. The hot wire is live, but the device does not function. The neutral wire normally provides the return path for current to flow. This is a very dangerous situation. The live voltage flows from the hot wire, through the load, then into the neutral wire. If the neutral is not connected (grounded), it becomes hot! Everyone knows the hot wire can bite you, but we normally expect the neutral to be dead. We may carelessly handle the neutral, thinking it is dead, but if it is floating (unconnected), it could be live. Many people have been killed in this fashion. As always, if you are in doubt about what to do, the best advice anyone should give you is to call a licensed electrician to advise what work is needed.Before you do any work yourself,on electrical circuits, equipment or appliances,always use a test meter to ensure the circuit is, in fact, de-energized.IF YOU ARE NOT ALREADY SURE YOU CAN DO THIS JOBSAFELY AND COMPETENTLYREFER THIS WORK TO QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS.
When an ac bulb glows the phase wire gives a shock when touched by hand but the neutral wire doesn't?
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Why can the neutral wire diameter be reduced in relationship to the phase wires?
The Neutral wire should be the same gauge and size of the phase wires. Only the Earth or Equipment wire can be smaller than the phase(hot) wires. <<>> On a three phase four wire distribution system the neutral can be reduced in size. The neutral only carries the unbalanced load current and should be sized to that current. The highest current load to neutral of the three legs is used to calculate the neutral sizing. There is no reduced neutral allowed on discharge lighting and non linear loads. A demand factor of 70% shall be permitted to be applied to that portion of the unbalanced load in excess of 200 A.
What is a floating neutral wire?
a loose connection of a neutral wire
Does an outlet still operate with a failed neutral wire?
The ordinary household AC power requires "hot" and "neutral" wires to both function properly. A failed neutral is a potentially dangerous condition.
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.
How should old 3 wire stove be wired in panel bare wire to neutral or ground or both?
Ground wire to neutral wire.
Can a ground wire be used as a neutral wire?
No
Is the neutral wire the return wire?
yes
What is a function of neutral wire?
to complete the circuit and back to power supply
Is ribbed wire black or white?
The ribbed wire on a lamp cord is the neutral wire. On an extension cord there is no rib but the neutral wire is white in colour.
What color is neutral wire in Australia?
The colour of the neutral wire in Australia is blue with marking N.
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.
