This is why the US National Electric Code Article requires the ground wire to also be tied to the neutral wire at the service panel source. To follow the current path—the current flows through the appliance ground wire to the breaker box where it joins the neutral path. The current becomes too high at this point and the breaker trips.
This connection between the neutral wire and ground wire is called bonding and is an important part of electrical safety. Hot wires are red, black, or another color, while neutral wires are white. In residential codes, the neutral wire is always supposed to be grounded connected to the ground wire.
As I discussed, electricity flows in a circuit, so it is convenient to think of one wire being the source and one wire being the return. This is true for DC power systems direct current, such as batteries , but residential electrical power uses AC alternating current. In AC systems, the flow of power is actually constantly reversing direction, roughly times a second source.
Both wires serve both functions. In America, we have differentiated wires by having one prong of the plug, the neutral wire, bigger than the other hot wire.
The ground wire is the round one on bottom. Why do we create this distinction? Remember, one wire, the neutral wire, is connected to the ground wire. We can thank Thomas Edison for this confusion. For electrical safety, while screwing in incandescent light bulbs, which have exposed threaded sockets, different-sized prongs were invented to make sure the socket was always connected to the safer, grounded, neutral wire.
The polarization of plugs and outlets is meant to reduce the potential for shock. But how does wiring manage to transport electricity? The answer becomes clearer when we look at the three roles wiring must fulfill: hot, neutral, and ground. These three components work in tandem to distribute power throughout your home, as well as help maintain electrical safety. For Milwaukee homeowners seeking electrical wiring tips, Roman Electric has assembled a guide on hot, neutral, and ground wire.
Follow our guide below to better understand your electrical system! Hot wire is used as the initial power feed to a circuit. It carries the current from the power source to the outlet.
Acting as the first instance of a circuit, they are always carrying electricity, meaning it is dangerous to touch a hot wire while there is a power source feeding it.
Hot wire is identified by its black casing. This is the main color of hot wire for most homes. However, other hot wires can red, blue, or yellow, although these colors can indicate a different function besides powering an outlet.
Regardless, all hot wire should be treated the same: do not touch hot wire unless there is no connected and operating power source. Once hot wire has initialized the beginning of a circuit, there must be another wire to complete the circuit. This role is filled by neutral wire. In the above image, we can see a live wire or hot wire is used to carry the current from the current supply and it will reach the equipment or the load through the neutral wire.
This current in the equipment needs to flow to the current supply or the load and this is done by using a neutral wire. Home Forum Tool Contact Us. Facebook Twitter Linkedin Youtube. Primary Menu AutomationForum. Search for: Search.
Home Electrical What is a neutral wire and what is it used for? How is a neutral wire different from ground and hot wire? How to read a motor nameplate. What is a single-seated and double-seated valve and how are they different from each other?
0コメント