Neutral

How it is used

Used in installation and fault-finding. Electricians talk about the neutral wire, the neutral conductor, the neutral bar and a broken or lost neutral. Under normal conditions neutral is close to 0 V, but it still carries current and is treated as potentially live.

Example sentences

1. A loose neutral in the panel made the voltage on some sockets rise to 300 V.

2. Connect the blue wire to the neutral terminal.

Common collocations

• neutral wire
• neutral conductor
• neutral bar
• broken neutral
• phase and neutral

Related terms

• phaseOne of the live conductors in an AC system, such as L1, L2 or L3 in a three-phase supply. It also means the timing position of a waveform, measured in degrees.
• groundThe common reference point of a circuit, taken as 0 V, or a safety connection to the earth. In electronics it is marked GND; in installations it is the protective earth conductor.
• wireA single conductor, usually copper, often covered with insulation. A cable is several insulated wires grouped together inside an outer sheath.
• three-phaseDescribing an AC system with three voltages of the same frequency, each shifted by 120 degrees from the others. It is used to transmit power and run large motors efficiently.
• RCDShort for residual current device: a protective device that switches off a circuit when it detects current leaking to earth, for example through damaged insulation or a person. 30 mA devices are common for protecting people.

This word in other fields

The same English word can have a different meaning in another field:

• neutral · Interior Design

More terms: Wiring, Protection and Safety

• circuit breaker
• fuse
• insulation
• electric shock
• lockout/tagout
• arc flash
• overload
• distribution board