if neuteal is return path, how is it safe to touch unless under fault conditions
2006-10-29 05:37:11 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
safe but unadvisable as the live is never far away
2006-10-29 05:40:58 · answer #1 · answered by OhSimonsBinDrinkin 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
The neutral wire is tied to earth ground at the service panel - hence, under normal conditions, it is at the same potential as you are.
In practice, it's not a good policy to touch any wire that hasn't been shut off at the source.
Often times, the wires are incorrectly connected (reverse polarity) and in that case, the white wire would be 120 volts live to ground.
Even if it is wired correctly, if there is an appliance or device connected to the circuit, you might complete the circuit to ground by grasping the white or return wire - and anytime you are the conductor that completes a circuit, it is definately not a good thing.
2006-10-29 06:48:19 · answer #2 · answered by LeAnne 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is NOT safe to touch it. Don't even try it. If you touch the neutral and then make contact with earth at the same time, you will get a shock and possibly even electrocute yourself.
Remember in an AC circuit, the current flows in both directions.
I don't agree with the DC answer below, DC is considered fatal at levels above 55V.
Remember V=IR, so all that is stopping the current from flowing through you is the resistance of your body.
2006-10-29 05:43:15 · answer #3 · answered by Bill N 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
In new UK houses the neutral is tied to earth ideally i.e. zero volts, known as PME or phase multiple earthing. In older non-rewired houses the neutral floats about 2 volts above zero. Not a good idea to touch either though in case of a fault.
2006-10-29 07:31:50 · answer #4 · answered by Del Piero 10 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The neutral line is effectively at zero volts relative to earth. The volts live line in an AC supply rise above and go below the neutral line.
You could touch both lines in a DC supply without getting a shock. the old 'High Tension' batteries in radios gave a high DC voltage but I could touch both terminals and feel nothing
DO NOT TRY THIS WITH AC VOLTAGES.
It is the alternating voltage which causes the 'shock'.
RoyS
2006-10-29 05:43:24 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Like freakboynv (hi sparks) pronounced, there are some risky and straightforward incorrect solutions given right here. do no longer take electric powered advise from untrained and unqualified people on yahoo. enormously people who lie and pose as electricians. they could desire to be ashamed. they gets somebody killed sometime or burn their living house down. In a residential service, 240/one hundred twenty volt, the independent twine is bonded to the grounding device (earth). That retains the independent on a similar ability (voltage) because of the fact the floor. So in case you're grounded and touch the independent twine you're able to desire to no longer get a ponder whether each and every little thing is unquestionably with the device. yet whilst the independent has a foul connection or is open downstream you will finally end up engaging in the present, or a number of it, that commonly flows interior the trail of the independent twine. And be lifeless. And right here's a information flash for the untrained: electrical energy does no longer take the trail of least resistance. It takes each and every direction available to it, in proportion to the resistance of that direction. In different words whilst your electric powered, steel dealt with drill shorts out and additionally you're status interior the water from washing your automobile, dissimilar the electrical powered present day will flow down the floor twine of the drill. yet sufficient of this is going to additionally flow through you to kill you. Graveyard lifeless. Edit: Greg, Sorry you probably did no longer like my answer, yet I stand via it. i'm pointing out uncomplicated electric powered theory and ohms regulation above. the two are available in on the cyber web in case you desire to look it up. the occasion above extremely handed off.
2016-12-16 16:14:53 · answer #6 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The neutral is NOT safe to touch. If there is no switch in the circuit is is just as dangerous as the live.
2006-10-29 05:46:56 · answer #7 · answered by marineboy63 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
as a practice of safety, do not touch it. it is supposed to be safe when no appliance is connected to it with a running current.
under fault conditions it might by crossed with a live wire. this is the reason for my first sentence.
2006-10-29 05:41:00 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
at 0 volts
2006-10-29 07:20:11 · answer #9 · answered by Clint 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It won't be neutral when you do the line will go to earth immediately.
It's called neutral because it's A.C.
2006-10-29 21:44:18 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋