Can you downsize neutral wire?
It is possible to downsize a feeder or service neutral according to the calculations in the National Electrical Code here: 220.61 Feeder or Service Neutral Load. (A) Basic Calculation. The feeder or service neutral load shall be the maximum unbalance of the load determined by this article.
What is meant by neutral conductor?
Definition of neutral conductor : the intermediate conductor in a three-wire electrical system usually grounded or maintained at zero potential.
Why is neutral wire smaller?
In a three phase system neutral wire is thinner. Because neutral will carry only leakage or unbalance current of three phase. Unbalance neutral current constitutes very small percentage of phase wire. So to reduce cost, size of neutral wire is reduced.
How do you size a neutral conductor?
Sizing the neutral: Sec. 220-22. You must size the neutral conductor to carry the maximum unbalanced current in the circuit (i.e. the largest load between the neutral and any one ungrounded phase conductor). You calculate the first 200A of neutral current at 100%.
Under what circumstances can a neutral feeder be reduced in size?
Under certain conditions of use, the neutral may be reduced in size. For example, a feeder or service supplying household electric cooking equipment and dryers may have a demand factor of 70 percent applied to its total load, based on the number of appliances (dryers) present.
Does the neutral wire carry a current?
The neutral wire does carry current. it is responsible for completing the electrical flow through the circuit. The hot wire current needs an outlet to return to its source, which is where the neutral wire comes into action.
How can we reduce neutral to earth voltage?
Shortening the length of neutral wire and increasing the sectional area of neutral wire can reduce the reactance of neutral wire and thus reduce neutral-earth voltage.
Why neutral is current?
Neutral wire carries the circuit back to the original power source. More specifically, neutral wire brings the circuit to a ground or busbar usually connected at the electrical panel. This gives currents circulation through your electrical system, which allows electricity to be fully utilized.
Is neutral wire thicker?
Generally, in house wiring purpose a common neutral wire is used for all loads, in this case, the neutral should be thicker because the neutral wire carrying more current than phase currents.
Why does the neutral wire not shock you?
Now, we know that neutral is always connected to the ground or earth. So when touching the neutral wire standing on the ground there is no voltage applied to our body, therefore no current flow through our body and we do not get the electric shock.
Does the neutral wire carry current?
Does the neutral wire have to be the same size as the hot wire?
However in a 3 conductor cable, the size of the neutral wire is the same as the hot wire; which puzzles me. If both hot wires carry 15A current, the neutral wire will carry 30A current.