Neutral as a current carrying conductor

[pvitt]

OK, this may sound obvious but here it goes. On a dedicated 120V circuit, is the grounded conductor considered a current carrying conductor? Does it depend on what is plugged into the recep.? Thanks in advance.

 

[roger]

If you are refering to a two wire circuit, the grounded conductor is a current carrying conductor.

Roger

 

[pvitt]

Thanks, that's exactly what I was looking for. Have a great day.

 

[jwelectric]

If you are refering to a two wire circuit, the grounded conductor is a current carrying conductor.

Roger

If a load equal to the load on leg 1 was on leg 2 then we would have a "neutral" conductor would we not?

 

[Twoskinsoneman]

If you are refering to a two wire circuit, the grounded conductor is a current carrying conductor.

Roger

What do you mean "The conductor is not a neutral when only one leg is used"??

"Neutral Conductor. The conductor connected to the neutral point of a system that is intended to carry current under normal conditions."

 

[roger]

If a load equal to the load on leg 1 was on leg 2 then we would have a "neutral" conductor would we not?

Yes we would.

Roger

 

[roger]

What do you mean "The conductor is not a neutral when only one leg is used"??

"Neutral Conductor. The conductor connected to the neutral point of a system that is intended to carry current under normal conditions."

The definition is new for 2008 and IMO is not a true definition, although it has been common trade slang for a long time.

Roger

 

[Twoskinsoneman]

The definition is new for 2008 and IMO is not a true definition, although it has been common trade slang for a long time.

Roger

Ok... It's not slang anymore evidently. Just because it may not be a "true definition" in our opinions doesn't mean we shouldn't adapt to the NEC right?

The amazing thing about this forum is the honest search for what is really code... That is what is respected around here right?

 

[jwelectric]

Here is what the Analysis of Changes by the IAEI has to say about this

I just don't see how a 120 volt circuit no matter where it originates from could be neutral.

Article 200 is still part of the NEC is it not?

 

[roger]

Ok... It's not slang anymore evidently. Just because it may not be a "true definition" in our opinions doesn't mean we shouldn't adapt to the NEC right?

The amazing thing about this forum is the honest search for what is really code... That is what is respected around here right?

See Mike's last post.

Now, let me ask you, as an engineer would you describe the grounded conductor of a two wire circuit as being a "neutral" conductor?

Roger

 

[Twoskinsoneman]

See Mike's last post.

Now, let me ask you, as an engineer would you describe the grounded conductor of a two wire circuit as being a "neutral" conductor?

Roger

Intresting... When I say "neutral" to my team of technicians they only hear "white wire"...

I completely understand where you are coming from though... I would not normally consider the grounded conductor of a two wire circuit as being a "neutral" conductor...

Would you consider the CT conductor of a three wire circuit neutral if the circuit was severelly unbalanced?

What is your exact definition of a neutral wire?

 

[jwelectric]

Intresting... When I say "neutral" to my team of technicians they only hear "white wire"...

They need to be taught that when the word "neutral" is mentioned there will be more than one line supplied with that "neutral" conductor.

My way of thinking is;
my washing machine does not have a neutral but my dryer does

 

[roger]

Intresting... When I say "neutral" to my team of technicians they only hear "white wire"...

And that is the norm in the field as well

I completely understand where you are coming from though... I would not normally consider the grounded conductor of a two wire circuit as being a "neutral" conductor...

Which it is not

Would you consider the CT conductor of a three wire circuit neutral if the circuit was severelly unbalanced?

Yes in that it is part of a MWBC, and barring additive harmonics, would not add to the current flowing in the total number of circuit conductors.

What is your exact definition of a neutral wire?

Well, A neutral conductor carries only the unbalanced current from other conductors of the same circuit" is not perfect but works pretty good.

Roger

 

[Twoskinsoneman]

And that is the norm in the field as well

Which it is not

Yes in that it is part of a MWBC, and barring additive harmonics, would not add to the current flowing in the total number of circuit conductors.

Well, A neutral conductor carries only the unbalanced current from other conductors of the same circuit" is not perfect but works pretty good.

Roger

Well I agree with you. However seeing as I am a big champion of the NEC in my company I have to now accept its definition in application. In theory it obviously goes much deeper....

 

[Twoskinsoneman]

If a load equal to the load on leg 1 was on leg 2 then we would have a "neutral" conductor would we not?

In roger's definition your conductor is not neutral because it's not carrying any unbalanced current.
Actually in your senario the neutral wire isn't even needed so I guess it doesn't matter what its definition is...

 

[LarryFine]

Intresting... When I say "neutral" to my team of technicians they only hear "white wire"...

Even worse, many people think every white wire must be a 'neutral.'

 

[iaov]

The neutral is the wire going back to the center tap of a transformer. It is normaly tied to ground. A two wire secondary does not have a neutral but in industry one leg is usualy tied to ground and then refered to as X2, I think the term neutral came from there being no difference in potential between this conductor and earth/ground.I like the term neutral. Keeps it simpler for me although I will agree that the term "grounded conductor" may be more correct.

 

[Jim W in Tampa]

is it dedicated if it shares the neutral ?

 

[LarryFine]

Keeps it simpler for me although I will agree that the term "grounded conductor" may be more correct.

Many years ago, I was taught that the grounded conductor was called the "identified" conductor, either by white or gray color, marking, ribbing, threads in the strands, etc.

 

[jwelectric]

Many years ago, I was taught that the grounded conductor was called the "identified" conductor, either by white or gray color, marking, ribbing, threads in the strands, etc.

Me to and the hot, phase, legs or what ever they are called today were unidentified conducots.