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How is Neutral Wire Neutral in Mains Electricity?

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paulca:
I found this interesting...  I think the point that the ground charge between the building and outbuilding being different is covered.  Doesn't necessarily need to be lightening, but static.  The resistance through the potentially dry soil will be significantly higher than through a copper conductor to equalizer the charge differential between the buildings.  As I understand it anyway.


IDEngineer:

--- Quote from: paulca on January 23, 2020, 11:06:06 am ---Doesn't necessarily need to be lightening, but static.  The resistance through the potentially dry soil will be significantly higher than through a copper conductor to equalizer the charge differential between the buildings.
--- End quote ---
Slightly changing the subject... I had an amazing demonstration of static in the atmosphere a few years ago. Our whole family is ham radio operators and we had (at that time) a 1/4 wave multiband vertical antenna on the top of our house, with LMA-400 coax coming to a permanent N-female outlet on the wall in the family room. All equipment was unplugged because nobody was using it. I heard a "SNAP" sound which I didn't recognize. Happened again after 15-30 seconds. Kept repeating every once in a while, which allowed me to start tracking it down. I finally found that the N-female was arcing from its center conductor to the shield... the arc was VERY visible and quite loud when you were near. I presumed there was a buildup of static outside, mentioned that to the family, and shortly thereafter we got the first clap of thunder. A significant rain/thunderstorm followed.

This was a great learning opportunity for my then perhaps 10YO son (who had his General at the time). We regularly discussed antenna theory, so many volts per meter, etc. but nothing makes it real like seeing how a metal rod in the air can pick up enough voltage potential to visibly arc across a connector!

I was really glad no sensitive receivers were connected to that N-female.

Sorry for the thread hijack but your comment brought back a vivid memory.

richard.cs:

--- Quote from: Monkeh on January 16, 2020, 08:24:01 pm ---I have nothing immediately to hand to show a lead-clad cable - presumably because those things are sealed with pitch and not easily cleaned for your viewing pleasure..

--- End quote ---

I've just stepped outside and taken some for your viewing pleasure. Various copper and aluminium cored PILCs, all four core (L1 L2 L3 and N) with the lead used as a separate earth right back to the substation. Two have undersized neutrals as was historically normal. The one with the orange plastic bags in the photo shows hints of the steel tape armour over the lead, this has been removed on the others.



Modern UK practice uses three core cables, often aluminium, with a combined neutral earth as copper loosely spiralled around the outside (lookup "wavecon") but N and E are always separated before they get to the consumer.

Monkeh:

--- Quote from: richard.cs on January 24, 2020, 01:51:02 pm ---
--- Quote from: Monkeh on January 16, 2020, 08:24:01 pm ---I have nothing immediately to hand to show a lead-clad cable - presumably because those things are sealed with pitch and not easily cleaned for your viewing pleasure..

--- End quote ---

I've just stepped outside and taken some for your viewing pleasure. Various copper and aluminium cored PILCs, all four core (L1 L2 L3 and N) with the lead used as a separate earth right back to the substation. Two have undersized neutrals as was historically normal. The one with the orange plastic bags in the photo shows hints of the steel tape armour over the lead, this has been removed on the others.

Modern UK practice uses three core cables, often aluminium, with a combined neutral earth as copper loosely spiralled around the outside (lookup "wavecon") but N and E are always separated before they get to the consumer.

--- End quote ---

Very nice - but I was thinking more the termination arrangement for a single-phase lead-clad cable as was once brought into properties.

IanB:
There doesn't seem to be much separation between the conductors in this cross-section? It looks a bit scary.

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