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Neutral, by definition, is grounded at the distribution panel, and also at the distribution pole. That is how the hot to ground voltages are prevented from exceeding their normal voltage and encroaching on truly lethal voltages, such as 7.6kV in a typical US 13.2kV system, in a wye configuration.

Note: and this is critical, do not depend on the fact that neutral is grounded and consider that it is the same as protective earth ground. It is not. Protective earth ground is a different wire.

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Can you glow led by using neutral and earth?

If you connected neutral and earth (ground) to each lead in an LED and it glowed then this would be evidence of a ground fault.


Is a ground fault protection for equipment required even if the neutral will not be used?

Yes, ground fault protection for equipment is requiredeven if the neutral will not be used.However, the question implies that it might not be required if there is a neutral. That is not true. With two exceptions, ground fault protection is always required in the US, and it is probably required in other countries as well.The exceptions are the use of an electric cooking range, and an electric clothes dryer. In those cases, the US NEC allows the neutral conductor to also be the ground fault conductor, except for the case where the range or dryer is in a mobile home. In the case of the mobile home, the ground fault conductor and the neutral conductor must be maintained separate and distinct all the way back to the distribution panel.In every other case, including where local code overrides the US NEC's exceptions, it must be understood that ground fault protection (protective earth ground) is not the same as neutral, even though the neutral conductor is grounded.


What is ground fault in the NEC book?

A ground fault is where there is unexpected current on ground. It represents an imbalance between (hot) current supplied and (neutral, or opposing hot) current returned. That imbalance, by Thevanin's current law, must mean there is current on ground.Usually, a ground fault represents a malfunction or short in the load. Sometimes, it represents a cross tie or interchange of ground and neutral. In any case, a ground fault must be corrected, because it represents an unsafe condition, and because the NEC requires such correction.Some times this is a bit tricky to see, since neutral and ground are tied together at the distribution panel and at the service transformer. Since the NEC, however, requires isolation between ground and neutral except at the panel, detecting ground fault is somewhat straightforward, usually measured with a differential current transformer, comparing hot and neutral or opposing hot.I do not have a copy of the NEC in front of me. This is an intellectual answer, but I believe it to be consistent with the NEC's formal definition of a ground fault. Please, anyone with the formal definition, feel free to refine this answer.


Does voltage on ground mean open ground?

Voltage on ground can mean an open ground. It can also mean (high) current on ground, due to a ground fault such as reversed neutral and ground.


In the electrical system of the US what is the difference between the neutral and the PE Ground?

US NEC: The neutral conductor is an insulated grounded conductor used as the current return in a circuit. The color designation for neutral is white. The protective ground (PE, protective - earth) is a non-insultated grounding conductor used to shunt fault current to ground, tripping the protective device. The color designation for PE ground is green. Neutral and PE ground are tied together at the distribution panel. PE ground is also connected to a solid earth ground, such as grounding rods driven into the earth. Downstream of the distribution panel, PE ground is never used to carry operational current. Any current flow on PE Ground, other than parasitic current, is considered a ground fault, which must be corrected. In fact, GFCI (Ground Fault Current Interrupting) breakers will trip when neutral current does not match hot current, an indication of PE ground current flow.

Related Questions

What neutral ground resistor?

Neutral Ground Resistor is using for minimizing the fault current of system. It is a resistor which connected between ground and neutral and increase the resisting path for fault current.


What happens if you wire a ground and neutral wire together in an outlet box?

If there is a GFCI in the circuit it will stop working correctly. They compare ground current to neutral current to detect a fault. It makes ground current equal to neutral current which is a fault condition.


Can you glow led by using neutral and earth?

If you connected neutral and earth (ground) to each lead in an LED and it glowed then this would be evidence of a ground fault.


Is a ground fault protection for equipment required even if the neutral will not be used?

Yes, ground fault protection for equipment is requiredeven if the neutral will not be used.However, the question implies that it might not be required if there is a neutral. That is not true. With two exceptions, ground fault protection is always required in the US, and it is probably required in other countries as well.The exceptions are the use of an electric cooking range, and an electric clothes dryer. In those cases, the US NEC allows the neutral conductor to also be the ground fault conductor, except for the case where the range or dryer is in a mobile home. In the case of the mobile home, the ground fault conductor and the neutral conductor must be maintained separate and distinct all the way back to the distribution panel.In every other case, including where local code overrides the US NEC's exceptions, it must be understood that ground fault protection (protective earth ground) is not the same as neutral, even though the neutral conductor is grounded.


What is meant by neutral grounding reactor?

Neutral-earthing reactors or Neutral grounding reactors are connected between the neutral of a power system and earth to limit the line-to-earth current to a desired value under system earth fault conditions.


What is neutral grounding resistor panel?

A neutral grounding resistor panel is used to resist fault current to the ground. It is used for alternator protection protection purposes. When a fault occurs in the alternator, the panel helps force the current to the ground.


Why no electric shock from neutral line?

There is normally no voltage on the neutral line because the neutral line is grounded. However, and this is always important, do not assume that neutral is grounded, nor that there is not an elevated voltage on neutral or ground due to a possible ground fault.


What is ground fault in the NEC book?

A ground fault is where there is unexpected current on ground. It represents an imbalance between (hot) current supplied and (neutral, or opposing hot) current returned. That imbalance, by Thevanin's current law, must mean there is current on ground.Usually, a ground fault represents a malfunction or short in the load. Sometimes, it represents a cross tie or interchange of ground and neutral. In any case, a ground fault must be corrected, because it represents an unsafe condition, and because the NEC requires such correction.Some times this is a bit tricky to see, since neutral and ground are tied together at the distribution panel and at the service transformer. Since the NEC, however, requires isolation between ground and neutral except at the panel, detecting ground fault is somewhat straightforward, usually measured with a differential current transformer, comparing hot and neutral or opposing hot.I do not have a copy of the NEC in front of me. This is an intellectual answer, but I believe it to be consistent with the NEC's formal definition of a ground fault. Please, anyone with the formal definition, feel free to refine this answer.


Does voltage on ground mean open ground?

Voltage on ground can mean an open ground. It can also mean (high) current on ground, due to a ground fault such as reversed neutral and ground.


Is it advisable to use line to neutral power supply on a single phase residential area when the safety is concern?

line to line or line to neutral is the only way to use power line to ground if a FAULT current in the ground is a problem that needs to be corrected, an insulation fault


What happens if you connect neutral to ground in an electrical circuit?

Connecting neutral to ground in an electrical circuit can create a dangerous situation called a ground fault. This can lead to electrical shock, fires, and damage to appliances or equipment. It is important to keep neutral and ground separate to ensure the safety and proper functioning of the electrical system.


Why are the GFCI breakers nuisance tripping in your 100 amp sub panel- is it because neutral bonded to ground?

Nuisance tripping of GFCI breakers in a sub panel may be caused by a variety of factors, such as moisture exposure, improper wiring, or a ground fault in the system. If the neutral is improperly bonded to ground in the sub panel, it could also cause nuisance tripping as the GFCI breakers may detect a ground fault when there isn't one. It's important to ensure that the neutral and ground are properly separated in sub panels to prevent such issues.