My teacher started talking about how some appliances need a neutral and others dont, he let a student explain it and I didnt understand what he was saying. I thought all appliances are supposed to have a neutral, if you could help explain this to me it would be greatly appreciated.:smile:
neutral?
- Thread starter jernst
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LarryFine
Master Electrician Electric Contractor Richmond VA
- Location
- Henrico County, VA
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor
First, read this: http://forums.mikeholt.com/showpost.php?p=708650&postcount=4 Then come back and ask questions.
- Location
- Chapel Hill, NC
- Occupation
- Retired Electrical Contractor
I will add that Larry's post to me on this subject has been saved on my pc for future reference. It is a very good explanation. I am not sure it will answer the op's question tho.
I will also add this--- not all appliances are 120 volts. Some are 240V as well as some other voltages
I will also add this--- not all appliances are 120 volts. Some are 240V as well as some other voltages
- Location
- Windsor, CO NEC: 2017
- Occupation
- Hospital Master Electrician
The neutral is just another phase conductor that happens to be grounded.
When you connect a 120V appliance (load) to a 'hot' and a 'neutral' conductor, then the electrons in an alternating current system move from the neutral through the load to the hot, stop, and move from the hot through the load to the neutral 60 times per second.
To the load, the 'neutral' is just as 'hot' as the 'hot' is, it can't tell the difference. All it knows is when it's connected, it sees 120V.
Now, if you connect a 240V load to two phases ('hots') it's just the same to that load. It sees 240V. It doesn't matter if one of the phases is grounded or not.
When you connect a 120V appliance (load) to a 'hot' and a 'neutral' conductor, then the electrons in an alternating current system move from the neutral through the load to the hot, stop, and move from the hot through the load to the neutral 60 times per second.
To the load, the 'neutral' is just as 'hot' as the 'hot' is, it can't tell the difference. All it knows is when it's connected, it sees 120V.
Now, if you connect a 240V load to two phases ('hots') it's just the same to that load. It sees 240V. It doesn't matter if one of the phases is grounded or not.
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