4 ms·
If we're speaking about US residential wiring, current never flows thru the ground wire unless there's an electrical fault. There are 3 electrodes -- hot, neut
by mturmon 16y ago
If we're speaking about US residential wiring, current never flows thru the ground wire unless there's an electrical fault.
There are 3 electrodes -- hot, neutral, and ground. Current flows thru hot to neutral (both slotted openings). The ground is the round pin.
It's true that, back at the panel box, neutral and ground are connected together. But, current should never flow thru the ground wire to get there! That wire is strictly a safety mechanism.
The relevant terms in the US electrical code (the NEC) are "grounded conductor" (neutral) versus "grounding conductor" (ground).
- jacquesm 16y ago> It's true that, back at the panel box, neutral and ground are connected together. Only if you have only one panel. If you have multiple panels (aka pony panels) the connection from neutral to ground (aka the 'bonding connection') is made in the panel where power enters the premises.
- mturmon 16y agoThis is true, but also orthogonal to my point, which is that the grounding connector ("green wire", "round prong", or "ground") is not part of the circuit in US residential wiring.