So, the Neutral wire is actually one of the terminals of the secondary side of the step down transformer, right?

Depends on the system being discussed. For instance, in the U.S., residential power is split face using a center-tapped secondary and the center tap is the neutral. In a delta-wired three-phase installation, none of the terminals are the neutral. If it is wye-wired, the fourth terminal is the neutral. It's not the transformer that determines these things, it is how the transformer is used.

 

Then why does the top part of the circuit display node voltages? What is the reference for these voltages?

Since the voltage between L and N must be 230V, it could mean that L and N can be 1230V and 1000V separately. Then connecting N to E in this case will lead to a current that will need to f

I've never gotten a warm fuzzy from the Proteus tools. I don't think that circuit should simulate -- either the netlister or the simulator are making assumptions that are not justified. I'd need to see the actual netlist and circuit files to get some handle on which it is.

 

I've never gotten a warm fuzzy from the Proteus tools. I don't think that circuit should simulate -- either the netlister or the simulator are making assumptions that are not justified. I'd need to see the actual netlist and circuit files to get some handle on which it is.

Thanks, which simulator would you suggest? I used the Proteus suite only because i was told to. I didn't have a choice; i don't know what's good out there either and googling for the best is hopeless! :|

I can upload the netlist on monday, if you would want to take a look. I'm still learning this stuff and i do not know how to analyse a netlist yet.

 

Hi MAX, as you mentioned the DC ground and AC secondary must not be connected, well i measured the voltage difference between them and this confirmed the fact the "ground" is just a reference. But if the earth ground and the neutral are connected together in a mains distribution system, won't there be a current (pretty must alternating current) between these two lines, just to keep them both at the same potential? It does not make sense because the N and E are connected together and if the earth is at 0V, then shouldn't N also be at 0V? If the N and E are connected together, the technically, isn't the voltage reference floating because of the nature of AC (see V1's circuit and how the voltages are equal but opposite in direction)?

In a distribution service where the earth ground and one side of the supply is connected to form a Neutral there should be virtually no voltage difference in any part of the system between these two conductors.
IOW they are the same potential (or very close).
When you use any isolation transformer, now you have galvanic isolation from earth ground to any of the secondaries.
It is permitted to connect either of the secondary conductors to the earth conductor in order to re-reference to earth ground, this now becomes 'Neutral', or in the case of a low voltage DC supply fed from the transformer, the DC common point of the related circuit fed by the supply May be earth grounded.
But not both, otherwise it results in a blown rectifier device.
http://www.ese.upenn.edu/detkin/instruments/misctutorials/Ground/grd.html
Max.

 

In a distribution service where the earth ground and one side of the supply is connected to form a Neutral there should be virtually no voltage difference in any part of the system between these two conductors.
IOW they are the same potential (or very close).
When you use any isolation transformer, now you have galvanic isolation from earth ground to any of the secondaries.
It is permitted to connect either of the secondary conductors to the earth conductor in order to re-reference to earth ground, this now becomes 'Neutral', or in the case of a low voltage DC supply fed from the transformer, the DC common point of the related circuit fed by the supply May be earth grounded.
But not both, otherwise it results in a blown rectifier device.
http://www.ese.upenn.edu/detkin/instruments/misctutorials/Ground/grd.html
Max.

Crystal Clear. Thanks!!