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That's because the neutral is a grounded conductor.

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The line (not 'phase'!) conductor has a potential of 230 V (Europe) or 120 V (North America) with respect to the neutral, which is earthed (grounded) at the supply panel.

As you are more than likely 'earthed' (or 'grounded') by virtue of standing on it, this means that if you come into contact with a line conductor you will experience a potential difference of 230 V (or 120 V) between your point of contact with that line conductor and your point of contact with the earth, and you will receive a shock.

However, as the neutral conductor is already at, or close to, earth potential, should you come into contact with the neutral conductor, you will experience no (or very little) potential difference, and receive no shock.

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Why is it always connected in the phase or line wire to the switch and not the neutral wire?

because its much safer to switch the hot wire then the neutral wire because if you are working on a light fixture for example and the switch is off if you ground yourself out to the neutral you become the load or return. a neutral shock can me more dangerous at times


Why neutral wire doesn't give electric shock?

The neutral wire doesn't give an electric shock because it is the same potential as ground. That being said if you come in contact with the "hot" wire and the neutral or ground wire, you become the load and will receive a substantial shock.


If you touch both neutral and live wire together do you get shocked?

The neutral is supposed to be grounded on all installations, single phase and three phase, according to the electrical code so no you will not get a shock if you touch the neutral wire. If the neutral wire is not grounded you might in some circumstances get a little tickle of voltage.


When does a motor not need a neutral wire?

If the motor is operated from a three phase three wire distribution system the motor will not need a neutral wire.


Why the neutral cable takes high current than the phase lines in three phase installation?

In a balanced three-phase system, the current in the neutral wire should ideally be minimal as the three phase conductors carry equal and opposite currents that cancel out in the neutral wire. However, if the loads are unbalanced, the neutral wire may have higher current due to the uneven distribution of power among the phases. This can happen when loads on each phase are different or when single-phase loads are connected between a phase and neutral, leading to increased neutral current.

Related Questions

When an ac bulb glows the phase wire gives a shock when touched by hand but the neutral wire doesn't?

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Why is it always connected in the phase or line wire to the switch and not the neutral wire?

because its much safer to switch the hot wire then the neutral wire because if you are working on a light fixture for example and the switch is off if you ground yourself out to the neutral you become the load or return. a neutral shock can me more dangerous at times


Why neutral wire doesn't give electric shock?

The neutral wire doesn't give an electric shock because it is the same potential as ground. That being said if you come in contact with the "hot" wire and the neutral or ground wire, you become the load and will receive a substantial shock.


Why dont phase and neutral exchange?

Phase wires are "hot" wires and are the current-carrying conductors. (These are the wires that will shock you if you touch them.). The neutral wire is basically there to carry the electricity back to the source. It is not normally considered current-carrying. If you switch these two wires, you might energize the metal of equipment, causing a dangerous shock hazard.


If you touch both neutral and live wire together do you get shocked?

The neutral is supposed to be grounded on all installations, single phase and three phase, according to the electrical code so no you will not get a shock if you touch the neutral wire. If the neutral wire is not grounded you might in some circumstances get a little tickle of voltage.


Can a neutral wire shock you?

No, a neutral wire should not shock you under normal circumstances because it carries the return current from an electrical circuit and is typically at a similar voltage as the ground.


Phase wire and neutral wire joined?

Never join them, that is a dead short.


When does a motor not need a neutral wire?

If the motor is operated from a three phase three wire distribution system the motor will not need a neutral wire.


When upsizing wire for voltage drop how much smaller can the neutral wire be the next phase conductor?

The neutral wire should be the same size as your conducters


Why the neutral cable takes high current than the phase lines in three phase installation?

In a balanced three-phase system, the current in the neutral wire should ideally be minimal as the three phase conductors carry equal and opposite currents that cancel out in the neutral wire. However, if the loads are unbalanced, the neutral wire may have higher current due to the uneven distribution of power among the phases. This can happen when loads on each phase are different or when single-phase loads are connected between a phase and neutral, leading to increased neutral current.


Is there a neutral conductor in a 3 phase 4 wire wye system?

no


When phase and neutral will short means what will be the voltage in neutral?

If the phase and neutral wires are shorted together, the voltage in the neutral wire will be the same as the phase voltage. This is because the short circuit effectively bypasses any impedance or resistance in the circuit, causing the potential difference between the phase and neutral wires to be equal.