neutral
neutral
(OP)
what is the actual function of a neutral wire in an ac circuit?I have listened to a few different stories and would like to know the real answer.
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RE: neutral
RE: neutral
It is generally grounded. In a typical (U.S.) single-phase service, you get three wires from the utility - two "hots" and a neutral. The neutral is connected to a center-tap on the secondary of the service transformer (and to ground). You have 120V from either hot leg to neutral and 240V between the hot legs. If your 120V loads are perfectly balanced, you will have no current in the neutral running back to the transformer, but you will still have current in the individual branch circuit neutrals.
dpc