Our Voltimum Experts answer your questions on a daily basis in our Technical Expertise area. This Question of the Day, concerning single- and three-phase systems and the status of the neutral conductor, is answered by the ECA:
1. In a three-phase system, if all phases are equally loaded, there will be no current in the neutral conductor because of there being no imbalance between the phases. However, this would only be the case if the loads were just three-phase with no single-phase loads connected.
2. In a single-phase system or circuit, currents in the line and neutral conductors are equal - what comes in goes out. When a load is connected, current is drawn through the line conductor, flows through the load and returns through the neutral conductor, which is connected to earth. And this neutral-to-earth connection is what completes a single-phase circuit. Without it, the circuit wouldn't work.
Is this the case? I hope you can clarify these points.
Answer: Your understanding is correct, and the neutral conductor is a live conductor in terms of electrical safety.
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