Why would a neutral be live?

The “live” and “Neutral” cable are necessary to complete the circuit. Without those, you won’t power anything. One wire can’t provide any power. You need a source, and a return.

Can a neutral wire be live?





Since the neutral wire is a potential between all three phases, each phase along with the neutral wire can form an independent circuit e.g your house, hence live and neutral. It is the role of the neutral wire to carry any current as a result of the imbalance in impedance of each of the phases loads.

Why does my neutral wire have voltage?

The voltage you are seeing on the neutral wire is conducting through that other load from the hot. Your voltage tester is detecting voltage without drawing current so the resistance of the other load is not seen. Try disconnecting/turning off all other loads on that circuit.

Should there be current on neutral?

The neutral wire will be connected to the earth ground, the color of the neutral wire could be grey or white. During normal operations, the neutral wire will carry current. We can see neutral in most of the electrical equipment, mostly in non-linear loads.

When can neutral become live?

In most installations the live is at the required voltage and the neutral line is connected to the ground at a point. If the device is on, the neutral will be connected to the live wire and the voltage will not be zero.

How do you know if its live or neutral?





Youtube quote:And finally touch the red probe to each exposed wire. If you don't get a voltage reading the wire is neutral. If you get a reading the wire is hot you can also use color coding to identify.

Does neutral wire give shock?

Now, we know that neutral is always connected to the ground or earth. So when touching the neutral wire standing on the ground there is no voltage applied to our body, therefore no current flow through our body and we do not get the electric shock.

Does neutral carry voltage?

Voltage is carried by the live conductor, but a neutral conductor is also necessary for two important functions: Serving as a zero voltage reference point. Completing the circuit, providing a return path for the current supplied by the live conductor.

Does neutral carry load?

The neutral wire does carry current. it is responsible for completing the electrical flow through the circuit. The hot wire current needs an outlet to return to its source, which is where the neutral wire comes into action.

What is neutral failure?



Neutral failure is a serious condition. A break in the neutral conductor will simply result in a loss of the energy supply which leads to an Irrespective of load balance. Reasons for Neutral Failue.

Where do neutral wires go?

Neutral wires are usually connected at a neutral bus within panelboards or switchboards, and are “bonded” to earth ground at either the electrical service entrance, or at transformers within the system.

What is live and neutral wire?

In a plug, the live wire (brown) and the neutral wire (blue) are the two wires that form the complete circuit with a household appliance. The earth wire (green and yellow) does not normally form part of the circuit and is included as a safety wire.

What happens when live and neutral wires touch?



The neutral wire is touched by the live wire. The path from the live to the neutral wire has very low resistance and will create a short circuit if the large current exceeds the fuse rating. There will be a blow.

What happens if live and neutral are reversed?

If your outlet’s polarity is reversed, it means that the neutral wire is connected to where the hot wire is supposed to be. This may not sound like a terrible thing, but it is. There is always electricity flowing out of an outlet with reversed polarity, even if an appliance is supposed to be off. Why is it dangerous?

What color is live wire?

Plug wiring colours

Wire Colour
Live Brown
Neutral Blue
Earth Yellow and Green


Is the black wire live or neutral?



Here’s a rundown of electrical wires: The black wire is the “hot” wire, it carries the electricity from the breaker panel into the switch or light source. The white wire is the “neutral” wire, it takes any unused electricity and current and sends it back to the breaker panel.

Is red live or black neutral?

Red = live. Black = neutral. Green and yellow = earth.