ground , neutral

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sundeep_reddy

Joined Apr 13, 2009
2
can any1 help me out expelling the main difference between GROUND and NEUTRAL (I.E the 2 terminals other than the positive hole on the plug socket)
also explain the purpose of the both.......
thank u ........:confused:
 

italo

Joined Nov 20, 2005
205
there many nomecletures for a return of current. SIGNAL POWER EARTH FLOATING AND SO FORTH. EACH ONE PERFORM OR SHOULD PERFORM ONE PURPOSE RETURN FOR THE CURRENT SENT OUT. YOU TIE THESE INDISCRIMATELY TOGETHER THE RESULTS GET COMPLEX AND CAUSE GND LOOPS WHERE THEY ADD- SUBTRACT DEPENDING ON CURRENT FLOW.
 

recca02

Joined Apr 2, 2007
1,212
Here they are known as Earthing, Neutral and Live(hot).
Earth wire like neutral is connected to ground and provides a return path. However its function differs. It is connected to the body of the equipment so in case the body gets charged accidentally, the earth wire provides a low resistance path to ground and the person who touches the equipment is saved by current distribution formula :).

Neutral is the normal return path for the circuit.
 

Wendy

Joined Mar 24, 2008
23,415
Both tie to the same point at the power pole. Neutral is a main current carrier, the match for the Hot wire. The two of them form a circuit. Ground is strictly for safety, it allows you to wire a metal chassis to a safe point, if the Hot wire shorts to it the breaker or fuse will blow, rendering the equipment safe. Since it wired to the earth there should never be a voltage on it, as with Neutral. It is a relatively recent addition, older standards (as in the 1950's) only used two wires.

Imagine a drill motor with a metal case with two wires. A problem develops as insulation breaks down and the hot wire touches the case. You might not notice until you stand in water, then ZZZAAAP.

If the electrician swapped the hot and neutral in the two wire system, and the case was deliberately tied to Neutral, then same thing.

The third wire, connected to the case, has the biggest chance of overcoming a failure or human error, with the only consequence is you resetting the breaker, and noting there is a problem.

Ground should NEVER be used to carry current, ever. It is possible that Neutral and Ground may have a few (as in two) volts difference, since the Neutral wire is carrying current, and may drop several volts due to the resistance of the wire.

Looks like several people answered at once. :)
 
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