Why "neutral"

[jim dungar]

Correct only when considering the source itself. However, a neutral voltage point can be derived by connecting a wye load having balanced impedance from each line to the common point?which is a "neutral point".

My comment was directed to a 3-phase transformer bank connected in a delta - the load connection is a separate and for the most part irrelevant issue. There are enough mis-perceptions about delta transformer bank secondary connections without having to go off topic.

 

[bphgravity]

Anyone have any ideas why and where we started using the term?
Kevin

The term "neutral" precedes the NEC and electrical premise wiring. It was a term used in the laboratory back when electricity was just a novelty science.

In short, a "conductor" at that time was believed to ether be charged or neutral. Meaning, it had an excess of free electrons - charged, or it had none - neutral.

When we got to the telegraphy days, the "neutral" was always the conductor not intentionally charged by the battery, but was to be used as the return circuit.

So like many terms we used today, it never went out of fashion to use the term "neutral" even when it no longer accurately describes the use and purpose of grounded conductors.