What is the relationship to Alternating Current & Polarization?

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jreed

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Subject: How does polarization relate to Alternating Current?

I searched many places and could not find a good clear-cut (Laman's) definition or explanation of how polarization relates to an alternating current and why one electrode of most 110 power plugs have one electrode larger due to "polarization" claiming a safety factor.

Can someone who has this knowledge, please provide the theory on this and why the one plug out let is designed as such and why this is designated as a safety feature?

Thank you!
 
an example would be that the outer part of a light socket should be connected to the grounded conductor because its easier to touch, the center contact is the hot conductor because its recessed inside the socket and somewhat protected, having polarized plugs and cords help reduce people getting shocked...
 
jreed,
Its electronics, computers and such have to have it in a three connection
pattern. The hot leg, the nuetral and the ground. The polarity of the plug
has to mach the recepticles outlet pattern.
 
AC relationship to polarized plugs

AC relationship to polarized plugs

Hi and thanks for the replies. To make this simple and to clarify, the polarized plug (the left one for 115 volt outlet that is slightly larger at the end) is considered neutral. The other hot and then the ground. Is this correct?

Considering AC is a wave and always fluctuating I did not dig what polarization had to do with it.

Thank you very much or your time.
 
I like hyper physics but the next panel below your link really got me thinking that they really, really should rephrase that statement...
 
Polarization is in reference to the plug. Things can be polarized and have nothing to do with electricity. Political opinions for example.Not all electrical terms are esoteric but it is natural for electricians to think in these terms first. :D
 
Acknowledgement to Relationship of Polarization & AC Current Q

Acknowledgement to Relationship of Polarization & AC Current Q

Hello Mr. Billsnuff,

Thank you very much for a good simple definition with diagram. I figured this is what it was - other definitions I saw made it complicated. All great truths are (or at least should be) basically simple - John
 
The one thing I didn't see in that link is that the neutral wire is actually connected to the ground system. This is usually done at the panel or meter base.

That is why there is a difference between the neutral and hot. There is no difference of potential between the neutral and ground because they are connected together.

STeve
 
steve66 said:
The one thing I didn't see in that link is that the neutral wire is actually connected to the ground system. This is usually done at the panel or meter base.

That is why there is a difference between the neutral and hot. There is no difference of potential between the neutral and ground because they are connected together.

STeve
Click to expand...

I believe Steve explained it best. The only difference between hot and neutral is it's relationship to ground. The potential difference between the ungrounded conductor and ground is the danger.
 
billsnuff said:
did you scroll up to the top of the page?

grounded conducter and egc are bonded and tied to gec IMSO. :cool:
Click to expand...

Now I see it. Still, it can't hurt to emphasize that's the difference between the neutral and the hot.
 
Simplest terms???

Simplest terms???

In the simplest of terms.

The power stops at the switch instead of going through the equipment to the switch. Even though the switch is off the internal parts could still be live, waiting for you to make the circuit.
 
steve66

steve66

i don't disagree, but what i find amazing, is i used grounded electrode, equipment grounding conductor, grounding electrode conductor in one sentence. correctly IMSO :grin:

just like using deduct, defense, defeat, and detail. :cool:
 
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