Hot Wires: Does AC Current Flow from Hot to Neutral?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the flow of alternating current (AC) in electrical systems, specifically addressing whether AC current always flows from the hot wire to the neutral wire. Participants explore the characteristics of AC current, the role of neutral and ground wires, and the implications of wiring configurations in household electrical systems.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants assert that AC current flows back and forth, typically at 60 Hz, and can flow from hot to neutral, line to line, or hot to hot depending on the wiring configuration.
  • One participant explains that the neutral wire is connected to ground and is less hazardous, but it is still involved in the power transfer process.
  • Another participant emphasizes that both hot and neutral conductors contribute to power transfer, challenging the notion that the neutral is less significant.
  • Clarifications are made regarding voltage levels in a 240 volt single-phase system, detailing the voltage differences between hot to hot, hot to neutral, hot to ground, and neutral to ground.
  • There is mention that the neutral and ground are tied together at the main house panel and transformer secondary, which may lead to confusion regarding their roles.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the roles and significance of the neutral and hot wires in AC current flow. While some points are clarified, there is no consensus on the implications of these roles or the nature of current flow.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes assumptions about wiring configurations and the definitions of terms like "hot," "neutral," and "ground." There are unresolved questions about the implications of these definitions on current flow and safety.

M.Kalai vanan
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does ac current always flows from hot to neutral wire.if so where is the end of the neutral wire?
 
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AC current (alternating current) flows back and forth typically 60 times per second...or 60 hz (in USA).

It can flow back and forth to the neutral if it is wired that way...or it can flow line to line, or hot to hot so to speak.

I assume you are referring to a 240/120 house panel? If so, the neutral is center tapped at the secondary of the transformer to the house cutting the voltage in half. Line to line is 240...line to neutral is 120volt.

If you are referring to something else, please be more specific in your question.
 
The "hot " leads refer to being able to deliver the power, the neutral is - at some point, connected to ground, and is LESS hazardous and on its own not used to provide the power, and as PSP reported it is AC - the current flows back and forth.

The end of the neutral is in two places - just to confuse you - it is connected to a winding on the transformer supplying the power and to ground.
 
Windadct said:
The "hot " leads refer to being able to deliver the power, the neutral is - at some point, connected to ground, and is LESS hazardous and on its own not used to provide the power, and as PSP reported it is AC - the current flows back and forth.

The end of the neutral is in two places - just to confuse you - it is connected to a winding on the transformer supplying the power and to ground.

Both conductors are involved in the transfer of Power. You can't say the Neutral is any less of a contributor than the Live conductor. (No current is supposed to flow through the Earth / Ground). It just so happens that the Potential Difference between Neutral and Earth is (near) zero but it's of no consequence in the power situation.
 
And just to make it "in your face clear" on a 240 volt single phase system:

Hot to hot...240 volts
Hot to neutral...120 volts
Hot to ground...120 volts
Neutral to ground...nada...zero volts.

The neutral and ground are tied together in your main house panel...and the neutral and ground are tied together in the secondary of its transformer. The grounds are both "earthed" as well at the main panel and transformer secondary.
 

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