neutral current.

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erfitz1208

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In a basic lighting circuit voltage/current are present on the ungrounded conductor (hot lead) ,and current minus the voltage is present on the grounded conductor(neutral).

If there is current on a neutral why doesnt it shock you??
And when is a neutral wire a potential shock problem??
 
erfitz1208 said:
If there is current on a neutral why doesnt it shock you??
Click to expand...

The neutral is grounded - if you're grounded and touch a neutral bus (for instance), there will be negligible potential difference across your body. No potential = no shock. However, see below:

And when is a neutral wire a potential shock problem??
Click to expand...

If the hot is still hooked up to the load, and you cut the neutral wire somewhere and touch it, if you're providing a path back to the source (say, touching a grounded metal sink) then you can get bit.
 
An open grounded conductor is simply an ungrounded conductor and will have a potential to grounded materials like every other ungrounded conductor.

Grounded condutors should always be treated as energized conductors from the viewpoint of safe working practices.
 
erfitz1208 said:
In a basic lighting circuit voltage/current are present on the ungrounded conductor (hot lead) ,and current minus the voltage is present on the grounded conductor(neutral).
Click to expand...
Sort of. The current in a simple circuit is the same everywhere in the circuit. However, to discuss voltages in absolute terms (i.e., theoretically), we should make an incorrect assumption: There is no voltage drop along a conductor.

If there is current on a neutral why doesnt it shock you??
Click to expand...
Because, if the neutral's pathway is intact, there is no voltage (see above assumption) between the neutral and nearby earth and grounded surfaces. A current requires a voltage difference between two points.

And when is a neutral wire a potential shock problem??
Click to expand...
Whenever the neutral's pathway is no longer intact, a voltage is developed across that "intactness" (resistance or open). If the neutral is open, the entire supply voltage appears across the opening, through the intended load.

It's very similar to the way the supply voltage appears across the contacts of an open switch. As long as the load pathway is intact, the voltage appears through the load.

Now, an open neutral in a multiwire circuit (such as your home's service) is a different story. Because more than one hot wire depends on the neutral to maintain even voltages, they have a tug-o-war going to drag the neutral's voltage to their side of zero.

Let us know if this is within your interest.
 
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