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The power company uses a single transformer outside your home to reduce the voltage from the transmission line voltage down to the 240/120 volts that you can use when you plug in your appliances.
The power company is trying to be responsible with their money when they put that transformer out there, so they use a transformer that can provide both 240 Volts and 120 Volts, at the same time.
To do that, the output of the transformer is divided into two halves; one half provides 120 Volts, and the other half provides 120 Volts, with a "common" or "center tap" in the center of the 240 Volt transformer winding.
It isn't a coincidence that your 240 volt plug that operates the electric range or electric dryer is twice the voltage of the 120 volt plug that operates your TV.
By using half of the output from the transformer to provide your 120 Volt service, you are technically using the center tap/Common wire as one of the current carriers for the circuit. In theory, the common wire should be identical to the ground wire, but because real life isn't quite the same as the theoretic, it is necessary to treat them differently.
In some VERY OLD neighborhoods there were no 240 volt Transformers, and as such, no neutral/common wire.
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoThe white neutral wire is provided to complete the power circuit and return current to ground.
Note: the green ground/safety wire on 3-prong outlets is provided to give a grounded wire that does not conduct current, and thus has no voltage drop across it, can be used to ground metal cases to prevent shocks if an internal short develops.
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoA neutral is used on three phase systems to supply two sets of voltages from one connection. In a wye (star) connection you can connect to get phase to phase voltage. From the same type of connection you can connect to a phase to ground (neutral). A common US voltage is 480/277 volts. The second voltage is the sq rt. of 3 for 3 phase. This equals 1.73. 1.73 divided into the phase to phase voltage gives you phase to ground (neutral).
480/1.73 = 277 volts. 208/1.73 = 120 volts. 600/1.73 = 347 volts.
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Why neutral wire does not carry current in closed ac circuit?
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.
Why are the live wire and neutral wire never joined together?
An electrical circuit forms a loop. The "live" or hot wire supplies the voltage, which is returned on the neutral. If the hot wire and neutral wire were connected together without a load between them, the circuit would be short out and trip the circuit's protection device.
Can you use a neutral wire from a existing 110 volt 20 amp circuit to supply a neutral for a washer dryer combo that has only a 220 volt 30 amp 2 wire?
No !
What does neutral wire failure do?
Neutral wires are actually ground wires. They enable the circuit to be completed.
Instead of neutral wire earth wire connected in a lamp.it will glow or not?
A circuit can be made to work with a hot and a ground. The normal and safe way is to use a neutral wire which is bonded at the electrical panel to the ground. The neutral wire is used as a return path for electricity back to your panel. If you were to use a ground wire instead of a neutral wire you are creating a potential hazard as the circuit now employs the ground as a return path for electricity. Any stray voltage caused by equipment faults will go through the grounding system and could produce a hazard to anyone as they become part of this circuit. It is not uncommon that people get an electrical shock if they touch both a live wire and a neutral wire. If you were to do that the current in the circuit would run through you. If you use an earth ground as the return path and are in contact with the hot wire and a ground you will get an electrical shock. The bottom line here is yes the light will work, the question I would have for you is "why don't you call an electrician to solve this potentially dangerous situation?".
Why neutral wire does not carry current in closed ac circuit?
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.
Why are the live wire and neutral wire never joined together?
An electrical circuit forms a loop. The "live" or hot wire supplies the voltage, which is returned on the neutral. If the hot wire and neutral wire were connected together without a load between them, the circuit would be short out and trip the circuit's protection device.
Can you use a neutral wire from a existing 110 volt 20 amp circuit to supply a neutral for a washer dryer combo that has only a 220 volt 30 amp 2 wire?
No !
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.
How many neutral wires are needed for lighting and outlets?
If they are on the same circuit you only need 1 neutral wire in the circuit.
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.
What does neutral wire failure do?
Neutral wires are actually ground wires. They enable the circuit to be completed.
What is the fifth wire in a 5 wire 220 circuit?
Three phases, one neutral and a GROUND
Does the neutral wire have a charge in a gfci circuit breaker?
No. Not if the GFCI is wired correctly. The neutral wire should always be cold, or at ground potential.
Instead of neutral wire earth wire connected in a lamp.it will glow or not?
A circuit can be made to work with a hot and a ground. The normal and safe way is to use a neutral wire which is bonded at the electrical panel to the ground. The neutral wire is used as a return path for electricity back to your panel. If you were to use a ground wire instead of a neutral wire you are creating a potential hazard as the circuit now employs the ground as a return path for electricity. Any stray voltage caused by equipment faults will go through the grounding system and could produce a hazard to anyone as they become part of this circuit. It is not uncommon that people get an electrical shock if they touch both a live wire and a neutral wire. If you were to do that the current in the circuit would run through you. If you use an earth ground as the return path and are in contact with the hot wire and a ground you will get an electrical shock. The bottom line here is yes the light will work, the question I would have for you is "why don't you call an electrician to solve this potentially dangerous situation?".
Where do you connect the white wire from the shunt breaker?
Connect to the circuit neutral wire which should also be white.
When the main switch opf a house circuit is put off what does it disconnect?
Live wire and the neutral wire
