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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.


Can a red wire be neutral?

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.


Does the AC outlets have a positive and negative terminals?

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.


Is the AC wide prong for hot or neutral?

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.


What color is the positive in a 240v ac power cord?

There is no "positive" wire in an Alternating Current (AC) system, which is what a standard AC power cord or flex is used on. In a cord or flex for a small electrical appliance there is a always a "Hot" or "Live wire, a "Neutral" wire and maybe also a "Ground" or "Earth" wire. The "Hot" or "Live" wire is colored * Black in the US, Canada and other countries using a similar 60 Hz household AC power system.* Brown in Europe and other countries using a similar 50 Hz household AC power system. The "Neutral" wire is colored * White in the US, Canada and other countries using a similar 60 Hz household AC power system.* Blue in Europe and other countries using a similar 50 Hz household AC power system. The "Ground" or "Earth" wire is colored * Green in a cord or flex in the US, Canada and other countries using a similar 60 Hz household AC power system.* Green and Yellow in Europe and other countries using a similar 50 Hz household AC power system. For more information please click on the Related Questions shown below.

Related Questions

Does an outlet still operate with a failed neutral wire?

The ordinary household AC power requires "hot" and "neutral" wires to both function properly. A failed neutral is a potentially dangerous condition.


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.


Can a red wire be neutral?

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.


Why don't you need a white wire when wiring a 240v a c unit?

White wire is usually used as a neutral conductor and a 240v ac unit has no neutral. Each leg of the 240 volts is a "hot" leg However, very often a 12/2 or 14/2 NM cable is used to power small window ac units using 240v. In this case one of the conductors is white, but is not a neutral. It is good practice to mark the white wire with black tape so it is readily identified as a hot wire.


Does the AC outlets have a positive and negative terminals?

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.


Is the AC wide prong for hot or neutral?

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.


How do you wire an AC disconnect?

To wire an AC disconnect, first turn off the power to the unit. Connect the hot wires to the terminals marked "Line" and the neutral wires to the terminals marked "Load." Make sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions and local electrical codes. Finally, secure the wires with wire nuts and close the disconnect box.


What color is the positive in a 240v ac power cord?

There is no "positive" wire in an Alternating Current (AC) system, which is what a standard AC power cord or flex is used on. In a cord or flex for a small electrical appliance there is a always a "Hot" or "Live wire, a "Neutral" wire and maybe also a "Ground" or "Earth" wire. The "Hot" or "Live" wire is colored * Black in the US, Canada and other countries using a similar 60 Hz household AC power system.* Brown in Europe and other countries using a similar 50 Hz household AC power system. The "Neutral" wire is colored * White in the US, Canada and other countries using a similar 60 Hz household AC power system.* Blue in Europe and other countries using a similar 50 Hz household AC power system. The "Ground" or "Earth" wire is colored * Green in a cord or flex in the US, Canada and other countries using a similar 60 Hz household AC power system.* Green and Yellow in Europe and other countries using a similar 50 Hz household AC power system. For more information please click on the Related Questions shown below.


A system has 220v ac L and neutral can be possible two hot leg 120v ac be used?

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.


Can cross-wiring an electrical outlet cause a household fan motor to smell like it is burning?

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.


How can I use a multimeter to test for an open neutral in an electrical circuit?

To test for an open neutral in an electrical circuit using a multimeter, set the multimeter to measure AC voltage. Then, place the black probe on the neutral wire and the red probe on the hot wire. If the reading shows a voltage close to zero, the neutral is likely open.


What is the proper wiring diagram for a 240V AC disconnect?

The proper wiring diagram for a 240V AC disconnect involves connecting the hot wires to the terminals marked "L1" and "L2", the ground wire to the grounding terminal, and the neutral wire to the neutral terminal. It is important to follow the manufacturer's instructions and local electrical codes when wiring the disconnect.