neutral line

Status
Not open for further replies.
J

jioman

Member
Location
Florida
When I look at a power pole in a residential neighborhood and there are 3 lines vertical down the pole vs across the top on the "T", which is the neutral line, top or bottom. I know many people in the phone and/or cable industry and everyone has there own opinion. I would certainly like to know if there is a standard. Thanks
 
jioman said:
When I look at a power pole in a residential neighborhood and there are 3 lines vertical down the pole vs across the top on the "T", which is the neutral line, top or bottom.
Click to expand...

Here I see it on the top. Just look at the messenger wire (grounded conductor) and see where its terminated. Then follow this up and you will see its bonded to the ouside of the tranny case.
 
jioman said:
When I look at a power pole in a residential neighborhood and there are 3 lines vertical down the pole vs across the top on the "T", which is the neutral line, top or bottom.
Click to expand...
The three conductors on the cross-arm are the primary distribution conductors, and their neutral is the single conductor below, on the pole, when the other two are not present. When there are three conductors on the pole, those are the secondary conductors, and their neutral is the same conductor as the primary's neutral, unless a triplex has been run instead.

In most cases, the top of the three pole conductors is the neutral, but not always. It is often identified by white insulators, will be the bare if the others are insulated, and is always the one wire that continues when the others end. It connects the center terminal on the side of the transformer, and to the guy wires and pole down-wires where they are present.
 
Whoa! Not that simple

Whoa! Not that simple

There are many ways for the conductors to be installed: For flat (horizontal crossarm) installations: 3 phases on the arm and neutral below, all 4 wires on the arm, 3 phases on the arm with neutral above (lighting prone areas). For vertical 3-phase the neutral is usually low, but could be on top in a high lightning area. Same for single-phase or V-phase with one or two phase conductors; the neutral can be on top but is generally on the bottom (western US).

The only ay to tell for sure is to find out which of the conductors is grounded every now and then. That is the neutral.

There are places that still run 3-wire systems with no neutral at all.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top