What is the Difference Between Earth and Neutral?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The main differences between Earth and Neutral are as follows:
- Purpose: Earth is used for safety concerns against leakage or residual currents in the system, while Neutral is the return path for an AC circuit that carries current in normal conditions.
- Current Carrying Capacity: In normal conditions, the Earth wire doesn't carry any current, but in case of insulation failure, it might carry minor current. On the other hand, a Neutral wire is always charged and carries current in normal conditions.
- Connection: Earth cannot be turned into Neutral, but a Neutral wire can be turned into an Earth wire. Earth may be separately connected or connected by a Neutral wire. Neutral wire requires a separate connection only.
- Grounding Point: Earth is the grounding point for electricity, while Neutral is referred to as the returning point of the electricity.
- Resistance: Neutral has no current at all, while Earth carries a minor current.
In an electrical AC power supply, there are three types of wires – phase (Hot), Neutral, and Earth. Both Earth and Neutral are maintained at zero potential, but they have different purposes and functions in the electrical system.
Comparative Table: Earth vs Neutral
The main difference between Earth and Neutral lies in their functions in an electrical circuit. Here is a table summarizing the differences between Earth and Neutral:
Feature | Earth (Ground) | Neutral |
---|---|---|
Purpose | Safety wire, provides protection against electric shock | Completes the circuit, carries return current |
Voltage | Equal to zero | Equal to zero |
Current | Carries leakage current | Does not carry current during normal operation |
Connection | Connects to the ground | Connects to the transformer or generator |
Resistance | Lower resistance than Neutral | Higher resistance than Earth |
Substitution | Earth wire cannot be turned into a neutral wire, but a neutral wire can be turned into an earthing wire |
Earth (Ground) and Neutral both have the same voltage equal to zero, but they serve different functions in an electrical circuit. Earth wire is used as a safety wire to protect against electric shock, while Neutral is used to complete the circuit and carry the return current.
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