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The 'hot' wire delivers current from the power station into the load, which could be any electrical appliance such as, for example, a fridge, a light or a motor.

The 'neutral' wire is there for the specific purpose of carrying the current coming out of the load back to the power station. If the neutral wire was not there, there would not be a complete electrical circuit from the source (power station) to the load and back to the source.

In normal operating conditions the connection from the neutral wire to the Earth does not carry any current.

There should always be 0 V (zero volts) between the neutral wire and the Earth. i.e. no potential difference should ever exist between the neutral wire and the Earth.

The "neutral to earth" connecting wire is fitted to ensure that no part the neutral side of the circuit can develop a high voltage above Earth. If that connecting wire wasn't in place and the circuit had no other protection device (such as a GFCI or RCD) fitted, a very dangerous electrical shock hazard could be present which could electrocute the people using the appliance.

That is why any grounding wires, fitted either to the appliance or to the breaker box, should never ever be cut or removed.

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Why dont you use earth wire place of neutral?

Earth is neutral, but only at the distribution panel and upstream from it. Downstream of the distribution panel, earth and neutral shall not interchange or cross connect their connections or their roles - earth is protective ground - and neutral the current carrying return conductor.


What is the permissible neutral current?

I think you mean "what is the permissible imbalance between live and neutral current" All current supplied by the live wire should exit via the neutral. Any imbalance leaving via Earth is detected by an earth leakage circuit breaker . They trip at about 30 mA.


Is a neutral considered a current carrying conductor?

No, in a three phase balance load, there should not be any current through Neutral conductor. If it is a 2 wire, single phase system, the Neutral will carry the same current as live conductor if the system has no Earth fault, leak.


What is the reason for using a neutral current transformer on a transformer?

A current transformer is primarily used at the neutral point of a transformer for earth fault protection. A neutral current transformer will measure any ground fault current which will essentially flow from the star point of the transformer. A fault-detection device other devices is connected to the current transformer and, if the fault current exceeds a certain trigger value, the fault-detection device will give a trip command to an earth-fault relay to disconnect the supply of electricity to the transformer.


Would Current flow evenly in a circuit?

no because the earth turns sideways. and i sleep on my side so it doesnt work :)

Related Questions

What will happen without a neutral wire?

Current needs a return path to earth to flow. The neutral carries this flow. Therefore, no neutral and no current flow.


What is a restricted earth neutral system?

appropriate resistance is to be inserted between the neutral point of the transformer and the earthing mat to restricted earth fault current. for this purpose a sensitive earth leakage relay is used. in the event of a fault, fault current returning to the system neutral trips an earth leakage relay and disconnects the supply. anand r. ambekar


What happened if no neutral you can use a ground?

system will b damaged or destroyed in case of failures.............if we provide neutral d short ckt current passed through earth directly ,with out disturbing the system


What is the neutral current?

I think you mean "what is the permissible imbalance between live and neutral current" All current supplied by the live wire should exit via the neutral. Any imbalance leaving via Earth is detected by an earth leakage circuit breaker . They trip at about 30 mA.


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.


Why dont you use earth wire place of neutral?

Earth is neutral, but only at the distribution panel and upstream from it. Downstream of the distribution panel, earth and neutral shall not interchange or cross connect their connections or their roles - earth is protective ground - and neutral the current carrying return conductor.


What is the permissible neutral current?

I think you mean "what is the permissible imbalance between live and neutral current" All current supplied by the live wire should exit via the neutral. Any imbalance leaving via Earth is detected by an earth leakage circuit breaker . They trip at about 30 mA.


Why do outlets have 3 holes?

Live, neutral and earth. The supply is carried on the live and neutral, and the earth normally carries no current, but if there is a fault the earth is there as a safety factor and in some conditions it carries enough current to blow the fuse and make the circuit safe.


What is neutral inversion?

If the consumers metalwork is not bonded to the neutral a direct earth fault would result in a current of 20 amps flowing.This fault current will probably be carried by a 16 amp fuse or citcuit breaker and returned to the neutral via electrodes this will force the neutral conductor up to a potential of 200 v above earth this is known as neutral inversion


Is a neutral considered a current carrying conductor?

No, in a three phase balance load, there should not be any current through Neutral conductor. If it is a 2 wire, single phase system, the Neutral will carry the same current as live conductor if the system has no Earth fault, leak.


Why there is zero volt across neutral earth of isolation transformer?

Geez, because it is just that; A NEUTRAL EARTH, there should be equal potential on each side, therefore no current flow, and no voltage.


What is the job of the neutral wire in a 3 pin plug?

The neutral wire completes the circuit and carries the current back to the power source. It provides a path for the electricity to return safely to the earth or ground. In a 3 pin plug, the neutral wire is usually color-coded as blue.