Open neutral diagram. This means we have a current leakage of 3 amps. This video is about getting a shock from an open or loaded neutral conductor how it happens and how it can. Multi wire branch circuit with open neutral wiring diagram 1 the wire connector that connects the neutral wires together is removed to check for loose wiring. Current has been measured on water pipes and gas lines on the property.
Consider normal operation top diagram the neutral is at or near ground potential so no current flows down the ground stake and the rcd remains in balance. Heres a diagram to help you understand the situation and why it happens. To find an open neutral it may be helpful to use my finding an open. What is a loaded neutral and why did i get a shock from it.
To find where the neutral is open you will have to know how the branch circuit is wired ie. Daisy chained then start at the first outletswitch in line checking line to neutral blk. The neutral wire completes the circuit for every 120 volt device in the house. The above tests are to test that the branch circuit in question does indeed have a good potential of nominal voltages 110 125 volts but is unable to complete the circuit from an open neutral.
And that the neutral is open somewhere in the branch circuit neutral. As with the open hot or neutral an open ground can be happening at the receptacle itself or its box b of the left hand scenario above or else at an outlet upstream. If you have an open neutral at an outlet the outlet and all those connected after it wont work but they all will still be energized. In an electrical system ground and neutral are connected together in one location only at the neutral pointthis connection is either at the power company transformer or in the main electrical panel of the dwelling see electrical circuits.
A of the right hand one. This is a line diagram to simplify this further. In the diagram above the a phase circuit breaker is turned off on a multi wire branch circuit. With the switch on the power travels through the load in this case a light bulb filament and back on the neutral but no connection to the grounded buss bar and that is how you get a shock from a neutral.
The voltage on a neutral wire is normally 0 volts v on a live circuit. Open the neutral second diagram now there is no current in the neutral leg of the rcd and it opens protecting your supply.