The neutral wire does carry current in a closed AC circuit. Clamp a clamp on amp meter around the neutral wire directly after the circuit load and it will read the same current as is on the "hot" wire.
The ground wire should carry no current at all, it is there in case of a short circuit to carry the (short circuit) current back to the breaker panel to trip the breaker. The neutral will carry the unbalanced load current between the 240 volt legs. e.g. L1 and N (neutral) 120 volts the load draws 8 amps. L2 and N (same neutral) 120 volts the load draws 12 amps. The difference between the two amperages is what the neutral will carry 12 - 8 = 4 amps.
For a circuit, you usually need: * Conducting wires, or some other conductor to carry the current * A current source, for example a battery * A load (something that uses the power) * A switch that lets you disconnect the current flow
Three main components that are needed to build a circuit will be a power source. This supplies the circuit with a voltage to operate. A load to make the current flow through the circuit, and conductors to join these two devices together to carry the current.
The current carried by the neutral of a three phase four wire system is the un balanced current. If the three phase system was completely balanced on all three phases there would be no need for a neutral, eg a three phase motor. This neutral current will be less that the phase current so a reduction in the neutral size is allowed.
A smaller neutral wire in a three phase system can be used because it does not carry the full line current. It carries the unbalanced current of all three leg loads. This is one reason that three phase loads on a distribution panel should be equalized as much as possible to reduce the current on the neutral.
The ground wire should carry no current at all, it is there in case of a short circuit to carry the (short circuit) current back to the breaker panel to trip the breaker. The neutral will carry the unbalanced load current between the 240 volt legs. e.g. L1 and N (neutral) 120 volts the load draws 8 amps. L2 and N (same neutral) 120 volts the load draws 12 amps. The difference between the two amperages is what the neutral will carry 12 - 8 = 4 amps.
Sure. In a two-wire circuit, both wires carry equal currents.
To carry the unbalanced load current.
* * * DANGER * * * DANGER * * * DANGER * * *Do not, under any circumstances, use earth ground instead of neutral in a circuit. Besides being a violation of the US National Electrical Code, and probably the applicable electrical code for any country that has an existing neutral system in place, it constitutes a hazard because the earth ground conductor is not rated to carry operational current. It is only there to carry momentary fault current so as to trip the protective device (fuse or circuit breaker) in the distribution panel. Also, placing operational current on protective earth ground can raise the voltage on that conductor, creating the potential for an electrocution hazard.
For a circuit, you usually need: * Conducting wires, or some other conductor to carry the current * A current source, for example a battery * A load (something that uses the power) * A switch that lets you disconnect the current flow
For carrying Short Circuit Test on Power Transformer Do the following: 1] Isolate the Power Transformer from service. 2] Remove HV/LV Jumps and Disconnect Neutral from Earth/Ground. 3] Short LV Phases by Cu/Al plate which could withstand short circuit current and connect these short circuited terminals to Neutral 4] Energise HV side by LV supply (440 3ph Supply) with OLTC tap position on Normal. 5] Measure Current in Neutral, LV line voltages, HV Volatage and HV Line Currents on various OLTC Tap position. Analysis: If Neutral current is near to zero transformer windings are OK If Neutral current is higher or equal to Line current between LV Phase one of the winding is Open.
For carrying Short Circuit Test on Power Transformer Do the following: 1] Isolate the Power Transformer from service. 2] Remove HV/LV Jumps and Disconnect Neutral from Earth/Ground. 3] Short LV Phases by Cu/Al plate which could withstand short circuit current and connect these short circuited terminals to Neutral 4] Energise HV side by LV supply (440 3ph Supply) with OLTC tap position on Normal. 5] Measure Current in Neutral, LV line voltages, HV Volatage and HV Line Currents on various OLTC Tap position. Analysis: If Neutral current is near to zero transformer windings are OK If Neutral current is higher or equal to Line current between LV Phase one of the winding is Open.
Neutral is the common return, and it expected to be a current carrying conductor. Earth (or ground), on the other hand, is a protective conductor that is not expected to carry current. It is there to provide a path for current in the event of fault, and to trip the protective device, i.e. fuse or circuit breaker. Earth is also not usually insulated, so it is not rated to carry current other than long enough to trip the protective device.
Click on the link below for more information.
With the same voltage and resistance the current will be the same value.
Three main components that are needed to build a circuit will be a power source. This supplies the circuit with a voltage to operate. A load to make the current flow through the circuit, and conductors to join these two devices together to carry the current.
The "hot" wire and the neutral wire both carry current (the same amount, in fact) when a load is connected to complete the circuit. The ground wire never carries current except when a fault-to-ground situation occurs. Yes, neutral and ground wires should both be at ground potential, but NO they should not be connected at the outlet.