Theory Question

[Zanichbug]

Does a 120-volt motor or lamp use the white/neutral wire to return current after the electrons have done their work? If so, what happens with a 240-volt dryer or motor with no return path? My understanding is that the potential difference pushes electrons along the wire (EMF), those electrons do the work, and return somewhere. I am using oil or nuclear to move the electrons across the potential. How far off am I?!!

 

[LarryFine]

The neutral is merely one conductor of a circuit.

Read this first: https://forums.mikeholt.com/threads/understanding-the-neutral-conductor.140537/

 

[OldBroadcastTech]

All circuits have two conductors. In a 120 V circuit they are the 'hot' (usually black) wire and the neutral (usually white) wire. In a 240 volt circuit they are the two 'hot' wires, usually black and red (sometimes designated L1-L2); the white or neutral is not part of the current path in a 240 volt circuit.

 

[infinity]

Does a 120-volt motor or lamp use the white/neutral wire to return current after the electrons have done their work? If so, what happens with a 240-volt dryer or motor with no return path?

A 2-wire circuit is merely a loop with the load. In AC avoid thinking in terms of a return. That sounds like the current is traveling out in only one direction and returning in the other direction which it is not. It is alternating 60 times per second so there is no return. In this 2-wire circuit it doesn't matter what the voltage is the principle is the same. The current is flowing in the closed loop of the circuit.

 

[Besoeker3]

Does a 120-volt motor or lamp use the white/neutral wire to return current after the electrons have done their work? If so, what happens with a 240-volt dryer or motor with no return path? My understanding is that the potential difference pushes electrons along the wire (EMF), those electrons do the work, and return somewhere. I am using oil or nuclear to move the electrons across the potential. How far off am I?!!

The electrons isn't do a "return path" - they oscillate at a frequency. Usually at 60Hz or 50 Hz.