The AC wide prong is the neutral. An AC voltmeter measuring from narrow prong to ground should show line voltage; measurement from wide prong to ground should show zero. In a two-conductor power cord (and some three-conductor cords), the ridged side should be the neutral. In any light-bulb socket, the outer ridge should be wired to neutral.
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.
yes, but the two 120v legs would have to come from breakers that are on the two different bus bars in the panel box, otherwise, you will get zero voltage between the two hot wires and 120 volts to neutral.
No, AC outlets do not have positive and negative terminals like DC outlets. AC outlets have hot and neutral terminals, with the hot being the live current-carrying wire and the neutral being the return path for the current.
In ordinary circumstances, a red wire is a secondary hot wire in an AC circuit, or the positive power leg in a DC circuit. Red should not be used as a neutral. If it is used for something other than a hot wire it must be labeled on the wire at all connection points- and would STILL be a bad idea.
The hot wire carries current from the source to the electrical device, while the neutral wire carries current back to the source. This completes the circuit and allows electrical devices to function properly. The distinction between the two ensures proper functioning and safety in the electrical system.
Nominally 120 Volts.
yes. on most marine and offshore rigs you can connect 22volt rated system L and neutral to 2 hot connection. 110v on L and 110v on neutral.
Zero, or very close to it. If there is a large neutral current flowing, voltage drop on the neutral leg could cause a volt or so to read between the two. If you read full line voltage, the outlet is wired wrong!
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 ordinary household AC power requires "hot" and "neutral" wires to both function properly. A failed neutral is a potentially dangerous condition.
yes, but the two 120v legs would have to come from breakers that are on the two different bus bars in the panel box, otherwise, you will get zero voltage between the two hot wires and 120 volts to neutral.
No, AC outlets do not have positive and negative terminals like DC outlets. AC outlets have hot and neutral terminals, with the hot being the live current-carrying wire and the neutral being the return path for the current.
POSITIVE and NEGATIVE are Direct Current (DC) terms In Alternating Current (AC) terms it is: HOT-LEG (brass colored screw) and NEUTRAL (silver colored screw) On polarized plugs 120volts, the larger prong is the neutral
A 220 vac circuit has 2 hot wires and a neutral. The neutral stays at 0 volts and the hot wires vary between positive and negative. When one is positive, the other is negative.
The neutral conductor is bonded to ground, and is therefore always at earth potential, which is the zero-reference for voltage.
A neutral line can carry both AC and DC. Just make sure that the AC or DC is unable to pass through any components connected to the neutral line.
I think by 'cross wiring' you mean reverse polarity. This means the hot wire is connected to the neutral screw and the neutral wire is connected to the hot screw. This shouldn't have any impact on an AC motor, since AC voltage already changes polarity 60 times per second.