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In alternating-current systems, we don't have a 'positive' and a neutral conductor, but a 'line' and a neutral conductor.

The neutral conductor is connected to the earth and, so, has a potential of approximately zero volts.

The line conductor, on the other hand has a potential of approximately 230 V (in Europe) or 120 V (in North America) with respect to the neutral conductor. For this reason, line conductors are frequently referred to as being the 'hot' conductor.

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11y ago
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4mo ago

A neutral wire carries current back to the power source and is connected to the grounded center point. A hot wire carries current to the load and is the live conductor in an electrical circuit.

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a hot wire is a living wire or positively charged wire and a neutral is the ground or negative

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Q: What is the difference between a neutral wire and a hot wire?
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How do you determine hot to neutral?

You can determine the hot and neutral wires by using a voltage tester. The hot wire will have voltage present when measured against the ground or neutral wire, while the neutral wire should not have voltage when measured against the ground wire. It is also recommended to consult a licensed electrician if you are unsure.


What is the difference and how to differentiate between neutral and hot wires if both wires have the same color?

The best way to differentiate between neutral and hot wires when they are the same color is to use a multimeter to test which wire is carrying voltage. The hot wire will have voltage, while the neutral wire should not. Exercise caution and ensure proper safety measures are followed when working with electrical wires.


The black wire is hot but there is no current between the hot and neutral wire. There is current between the hot and ground wire?

It sounds like there may be an issue with the neutral wire in your electrical system. The neutral wire completes the circuit, so if there is no current flowing between the hot and neutral wires but there is between the hot and ground wires, it could indicate a problem with the neutral connection. It's important to have this issue inspected and repaired by a qualified electrician to ensure safety.


Why neutral wire does not carry current in closed ac circuit?

The neutral wire is connected to the ground at the service entrance, providing a return path for current. In a closed AC circuit, the neutral wire carries the difference in current between the hot wires, so the net current flow through the neutral wire is minimal. This is why the neutral wire may appear to carry little to no current in a closed AC circuit.


What is difference between 10-2 and 10-3 wire?

The main difference between 10-2 and 10-3 wire is the number of conductors they have. 10-2 wire has two conductors, typically used for a hot wire and a neutral wire. 10-3 wire has three conductors, typically used for a hot wire, a neutral wire, and a ground wire.

Related questions

How do you determine hot to neutral?

You can determine the hot and neutral wires by using a voltage tester. The hot wire will have voltage present when measured against the ground or neutral wire, while the neutral wire should not have voltage when measured against the ground wire. It is also recommended to consult a licensed electrician if you are unsure.


What is the difference and how to differentiate between neutral and hot wires if both wires have the same color?

The best way to differentiate between neutral and hot wires when they are the same color is to use a multimeter to test which wire is carrying voltage. The hot wire will have voltage, while the neutral wire should not. Exercise caution and ensure proper safety measures are followed when working with electrical wires.


What is the permitted difference in amps between a live and a neutral wire?

The correct answer is 120 volts between the hot conductor and neautral in a residential dwelling.You can have 347 volts between the neautral and hot in a commercial space.


The black wire is hot but there is no current between the hot and neutral wire. There is current between the hot and ground wire?

It sounds like there may be an issue with the neutral wire in your electrical system. The neutral wire completes the circuit, so if there is no current flowing between the hot and neutral wires but there is between the hot and ground wires, it could indicate a problem with the neutral connection. It's important to have this issue inspected and repaired by a qualified electrician to ensure safety.


Why neutral wire does not carry current in closed ac circuit?

The neutral wire is connected to the ground at the service entrance, providing a return path for current. In a closed AC circuit, the neutral wire carries the difference in current between the hot wires, so the net current flow through the neutral wire is minimal. This is why the neutral wire may appear to carry little to no current in a closed AC circuit.


Will an arc fault breaker work without a ground?

Yes a GFCI will work without a ground wire. A GFCI looks for a current differential between current in on the "hot" wire and current return on the neutral wire. Since current is the same throughout the circuit, no difference, no trip. If the load grounds out or shorts out, the current then takes the path of least resistance through the ground and not the neutral. This creates a difference between the "hot" and return neutral current and the device trips the circuit open.


Is the ridged wire neutral or hot?

If wired properly the ridged wire is the neutral.


What is difference between 10-2 and 10-3 wire?

The main difference between 10-2 and 10-3 wire is the number of conductors they have. 10-2 wire has two conductors, typically used for a hot wire and a neutral wire. 10-3 wire has three conductors, typically used for a hot wire, a neutral wire, and a ground wire.


How can you connect a system working with 60Hz 1 Hot wire 1 neutral wire and a ground wire to my utility system that works with 60Hz two hot wires and a neutral wire?

Your 2-wire system is actually connected to one "side" of the 3-wire system. In your utility's 3-wire system you have 2 hot wires that are attached to each end of a tranformer winding and the neutral is attached in the middle and grounded. Typically in the US this gives you 240v (or something similar) between hot leads and 120v from each hot lead to neutral or ground.


Which is the Hot wire and which is the Neutral wire if the wires you see are a Brown a Blue and a Yellow Green wire?

In electrical wiring, the live or "hot" wire is typically brown or red, the neutral wire is typically blue or black, and the ground wire is yellow or green. So, in this case, the brown wire is likely the hot wire, the blue wire is the neutral wire, and the yellow green wire is the ground wire.


Why Hot and neutral are both hot?

The hot wire carries current to the appliance, while the neutral wire returns the current back to the power source. Both wires are considered "hot" because they can carry electric current, but the hot wire is at a higher voltage compared to the neutral wire. It is important to keep them separate to maintain the circuit's intended flow of electricity and prevent electrical hazards.


What is difference between nutral and earth wire?

A neutral wire provides a return path for the hot lead while an earth or "ground" wire is provided as a safety function only that is not normally intended to carry current except for the purpose of operator protection.