Live And Neutral

Current carried on a grounding conductor can result in objectionable or dangerous voltages appearing on equipment enclosures.

Live and neutral. Under certain conditions a conductor used to connect to a system neutral is also used for grounding earthing of equipment and structures. The neutral wire completes the circuit and is the return wire which connects the appliance to that terminal of the source of electric supply which is earthed. The neutral wire is at potential of zero volt. The main switch is connected to the live and neutral wires.

As the neutral point of an electrical supply system is often connected to earth ground ground and neutral are closely related. An example of a 3 wire lighting circuit is shown in figure 2. One 2 core earth cable takes live and neutral to the switch back box a second cable takes the neutral and switched live to the light. The neutral wire completes the circuit giving a return path for the current.

Similarly when the current flows in the live wire it flows out the neutral. So both wires could be considered live wires. The neutral wire is at approximately 0v. At any given time whatever current flows through the live wire an equal amount note 2 flows in the opposite direction through the neutral wire.

Note the neutral is not connected to the actual switch the two neutrals are connected together using a connector block. You are correct in thinking that in a typical two wire ac loop circuit both wires carry the same amount of current amps. The neutral wire is joined in conjunction with the live wire to balance the potential difference. Though it serves nothing.

Hello ive just been to look at a job with a light not working after checking found voltage between live and neutral is 170v between live and earth is 230v is it just a case of a neutral issue eg loose connection water ingress any suggestions would be great cheers. It s the wire that creates the current s return path. On outlets in the middle of the circuit the neutral wire makes it possible for the current to move through the outlet to other outlets on the circuit and back to your service panel. Live neutral and earth are labels that are used to convey some information on the use of each wire.

It s responsible for creating the live circuit throughout the home.