16-10-2019, 10:00 AM
Although we use the terms "live" and "neutral" all the time, the wiring regulations define both these conductors as "live". What we casually call "live" is called "phase".
Different countries use different earthing arrangements. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earthing_system
In the UK the traditional arrangments are TNS (separate earth, neutral earthed at substation) for underground feeds, TT (no earth provided, fit your own earth rod) for overhead. Nowadays many supplies are TNC-S, also known as PME. The neutral is earthed in many places, the earth in your house is linked to the neutral.
All systems have their problems and merits. Probably best to start a new thread if we want to discuss this further, so as not to detract from the OP's question.
The important point is that you cannot truly rely on a neutral to be safe to touch. Usually it is safe, so all the more chances to catch the unwary on the occasions it isn't.
Different countries use different earthing arrangements. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earthing_system
In the UK the traditional arrangments are TNS (separate earth, neutral earthed at substation) for underground feeds, TT (no earth provided, fit your own earth rod) for overhead. Nowadays many supplies are TNC-S, also known as PME. The neutral is earthed in many places, the earth in your house is linked to the neutral.
All systems have their problems and merits. Probably best to start a new thread if we want to discuss this further, so as not to detract from the OP's question.
The important point is that you cannot truly rely on a neutral to be safe to touch. Usually it is safe, so all the more chances to catch the unwary on the occasions it isn't.
www.borinsky.co.uk Jeffrey Borinsky www.becg.tv
