neutral wire amp draw

[ace coffee 1]

High
Have a question about amp draw on neutral wire in 120 volt system.
we have a refrigerator and the draw on the neutral wire is the same as the line wire.11.5 amps any suggestions as to why this is.
First time posting hope this is the right place.

 

[roger]

In a two wire circuit the grounded conductor will (should) always carry the same current as the ungrounded conductor.

Roger

 

[infinity]

Ace,
Why would you think that the 11.5 amps on the neutral is abnormal?

Welcome to the Forum.

 

[jghrist]

It's because when George Westinghouse set up the first utility, he was very clever. He sent the current out in the phase wire, but then got it back in the neutral wire, so he could sell the same amps many times over. Modern day utilities still sell power to residential customers the same way. Industry owners, however, wised up and made George send amps through three phase wires and they kept it all, sending none back over the neutral.