I understand the ground wire in the house. Where is the neutral wire actually grounded? (1) at the house, (2) at the pole outside the house, (3) at a distribution point with the electric company, (4) at the electric generation location? (all of these?) The neutral wire extends from the house all the way back to where?

Most UK properties are fed by armoured coaxial cable, so there isn't any distinction between earth and neutral till its distributed from the consumer board. Connecting the 2 together anywhere after there will trip the ELCB. Incidentally: there's no sensing in the earth return - the breaker responds to any differential between live & neutral.

 

@dnharris The book considered the 'Bible' is the one by Eustace Soares book on grounding, and used as a reference by NEC, NFPA etc, published by the IAEI, International Assn of Electrical Inspectors.
I managed to get a as new copy from AbesClearing house for $1!
Max.

 

Depends...in my location the neutral is grounded at the transformer pole.

Can also be grounded at the breaker box…but never after that.

Never ?
Actually, many homes do have their Neutral Wire bonded to the Ground Bar more than once ...
If the detached building ( like a garage ) only has a UF 3-Wire ( L1-N-L2 ) cable then
inside the Breaker Panel in the detached building, the Neutral Wire will be re-bonded to the Ground Bar, again.
There will also be another Ground Rod or two at the detached building.

 

So where did the N originate from?
Was this a grounded phase at the supply?
Max.

Must have been. I had to have a licensed electrician install the panel because it was "commercial." I questioned the fact there were only 2 wires (200A service). He thought nothing of it.

 

Never ?
Actually, many homes do have their Neutral Wire bonded to the Ground Bar more than once ...
If the detached building ( like a garage ) only has a UF 3-Wire ( L1-N-L2 ) cable then
inside the Breaker Panel in the detached building, the Neutral Wire will be re-bonded to the Ground Bar, again.
There will also be another Ground Rod or two at the detached building.

Not if it’s a sub panel connected to a branch breaker.

If it is…that’s bad news.

EDIT:

Ok, I’m pretty sure we are on different pages here…

If you only bring L1-N-L2 to the panel, then you cannot bond the neutral to the existing ground, you are instead creating a new ground, and bonding to that.