What is the difference between grounding and neutral




















In AC systems, the flow of power is actually constantly reversing direction, roughly times a second source. Both wires serve both functions. In America, we have differentiated wires by having one prong of the plug, the neutral wire, bigger than the other hot wire.

The ground wire is the round one on bottom. Why do we create this distinction? Remember, one wire, the neutral wire, is connected to the ground wire. We can thank Thomas Edison for this confusion. For electrical safety, while screwing in incandescent light bulbs, which have exposed threaded sockets, different-sized prongs were invented to make sure the socket was always connected to the safer, grounded, neutral wire.

The polarization of plugs and outlets is meant to reduce the potential for shock. In our American standardization, it is impossible to reverse the polarization through plugs, as you can only insert them one way. Note: Some appliances are double-insulated, so the chance of shock is so small they do not need to have polarized plugs—the prongs are the same size.

However, occasionally the outlet can be reversed, causing the hot and neutral wires to be backwards as far as grounding goes. Yet, some appliances and equipment, such as incandescent light bulbs if you even still use these , toasters and other exposed coil appliances ever stick a butter knife in the toaster to retrieve your toast? To understand what is earthing and neutral point, we will look at a three-pin electrical socket that we use in our everyday life. The current that is supplied for a household is carried by a three-phase circuit.

That is the reason every socket used for any electrical equipment is preferred to be three-pin. The three pins correspond to earth, neutral, and phase. The phase line is the one that carries current, the neutral line provides the return path to balance the flow of current, and finally earthing is purely used for safety purposes. Earth or ground is a precautionary connection made in AC connections to prevent damage due to fluctuations.

The main use of earthing is for human safety from electrical shock. Any electrical equipment when it gets in contact with the metal surfaces will result in electrical shock. Earthing will provide a low resistance path that will direct extra electricity to the ground. The neutral wire is used for providing a return path for the flow of current in an AC circuit. But this leakage current is good enough to kill someone or may risk fire. Such current are being provided a low resistance path and sent to earth via earth wire.

Because of the difference in application we never mix grounding of neutral and earth. However both are made grounded of-course the process may be different. If both will be mixed then the earth wire which is not supposed to carry any current in normal condition , may have some charges across and will become hazardous. Good to Know:. There is no difference between Earthing and Grounding but these are the same terms used for Earthing or Grounding.

In simple words, Earthing and Grounding are synonyms. Both are similar words used for the same thing. You may also read:. Raise in continuous temperature, of wire effects directly to its life, and hence domestic wires are Class 2, having less conductor resistance, and higher current carrying capacity. Whereas class 5 Max no of strands, less Dia , is having high resistance than class 5, and limited cirrent carrying capacity than class 2.

Dear sir, How r u, sir i want to know that i used the generator kva on three phase. The problem is, the nuetral side of the generator show ampere. For example, if a motor uses three live conductors and no neutral, grounding is still required because any of the live wires can cause a fault.

Live conductors are sized for the current they are expected to carry, and the same applies for neutral conductors in single-phase circuits they carry the same current as the live wire. However, different rules apply for three-phase circuits: a common practice is using the same wire size as the phase conductors, but some applications require a larger wire size for the neutral conductor.

By working with qualified electrical engineers from the start of the project, you can rest assured that all components are specified according to the NEC and local codes. This not only provides safety, but also a quick project approval with local authorities.

Electrical engineers can also suggest energy efficiency measures to save on power bills. Please avoid adding links in comments. Any comment with external website links will not be published. Get expert engineering tips straight to your inbox. Subscribe to the New York Engineers Blog below. At Nearby Engineers New York Engineers , we search for simple, eloquent solutions to complex problems. We minimize construction costs by eliminating the extraneous and focusing on the overall efficiency for the most streamlined designs.

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