When the supply is normal AC, nothing happens in the case of industrial applications as they use a three-phase supply. When the phases are all loaded equally, no current flows through the neutral conductor.
However, in domestic applications, the ground wire becomes hot and it carries the majority of current as it has the least resistance. As a result, when a person comes in contact with a defective device, he/she will be exposed to an electric shock.
What Happens if You Connect Neutral to Ground
In most circuits or electrical outlets, you will find three wires: hot, ground, and neutral. The hot wire is live and therefore, the most dangerous. You will most certainly get a shock if you touch it bare.
You can identify the wires by their colors. The live wires are usually black but can be red, yellow, or blue as well. The ground wire is generally green and the neutral wire is white.
If you connect the ground wire to the neutral, the ground wire will become hot. As a result, there will be a high possibility of electrical shock.
To operate an electrical appliance, you will need both hot and neutral wires. The hot wires carry the current to the appliance and the neutral wire brings it back to the electrical panel. That way, the circuit is completed.
The grounding wire, however, does not carry any current under normal circumstances. Its function is to redirect the surge of electrical current that occurs due to malfunction of devices or metal cases. Normally, it maintains the device at a voltage level of the ground so that you and the device remain at the same potential.
Once you connect the neutral to the ground, you could shock yourself or others upon touching the metal case. This is because the metal case is connected to the ground. So, if the neutral or live wire is connected to the ground, the ground will become a live wire and create a dangerous situation.
However, under normal circumstances, nothing should happen. There might be a slight voltage difference which will cause the ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) to trip. The GFCI does that by comparing the current in the hot wire to the current in the neutral wire.
Regardless, you should not connect the ground to the neutral or vice versa. For a three-phase system, the good practice is to make sure that the load on all phases is the same. In short, the ground wire or earth wire is only supposed to carry current in times of emergency.
Can I Connect Neutral to Ground
As explained above, connecting the neutral to the ground makes the ground a live wire. Technically, it is possible to do that but highly discouraged. That is because people rely on the ground against fatal shocks as it works a path of least resistance.
In the case of a domestic setting where they use single-phase current, connecting neutral to the ground is a dangerous practice. If you do so regardless, instead of defending you from electrocution, the ground wire will be the reason for the electrocution. However, it is not an issue for industrial applications as they use a three-phase current.
Conclusion
To sum it up, you should not wire the ground and the neutral together. Regardless of the situation, it is not a good practice and is far too dangerous for a domestic setting. Therefore, if you want to avoid electrocution hazards, you must make sure that the neutral is not connected to the ground in any way.
But they are connected to the same
place in the circuit breaker box in a house.
It helped me a lot Very good article. Thanks
You’re welcome! I’m glad to hear that the article was helpful for you. If you have any other questions or if there is anything else I can help you with, feel free to ask!
Then how to make neutral to ground voltage in acceptable limit??
In one of my case , the voltage between neutral and ground is fluctuating between 3 volts to 6 volts..how to overcome it without shorting it
To temporarily mitigate the fluctuating voltage between neutral and ground, you can create a short circuit by safely connecting them using an insulated wire or jumper cable. This should only be done under careful supervision to assess if the voltage stabilizes within an acceptable range. However, keep in mind that shorting is a temporary measure and does not address the underlying issue; it’s crucial to identify and rectify the root cause for a lasting solution. Always prioritize safety and consult a qualified professional if unsure.
Good!
Thanks, If you have any other questions or if there is anything else I can help you with, feel free to ask!
how about industrial control cabinet ?
I see some designer connected neutral to the ground in the cabinet, and all the components PE and PG and G connected together. it sounds crazy?
Hope I can have a good answer.
thanks.
Connecting neutral to ground in an industrial control cabinet is a common practice for safety reasons, but it’s important to ensure that all the components are properly grounded and isolated to avoid any electrical hazards.
What happens if I am in a situation where the only service to an outlet ONLY contains a neutral and a hot wire. In this circumstance it seems like crossing the ground and the neutral WOULD be a useful solution?
Using the neutral wire as a substitute for the ground wire in an outlet is not recommended. It’s essential to have proper grounding for safety reasons. If you encounter this situation, consult a licensed electrician for the correct solution. Your safety should never be compromised.
I was changing a 13A socket today when the neutral accidentally touched the earth and tripped the whole house. I got a little shocked, literally and figuratively, since that particular circuit breaker was turned off. Your excellent article is the perfect answer I was looking for. Many thanks.
I’m glad my article helped. Safety is crucial when working with electrical systems. Take precautions to prevent accidents, follow proper procedures, and double-check that the power is off before starting. Consult with an electrician if you have concerns. Best of luck with your future projects!
I’ve heard that, in some situations, connecting the neutral wire to ground could cause an incorrect meter reading. Some meters depend on the circuit being completed as designed so that an accurate reading can be obtained. Basically what I’m saying is, with some meters you could actually be stealing electricity by diverting the return flow. Is this correct?
No, connecting the neutral wire to ground will not cause an incorrect meter reading or result in stealing electricity. Meters are designed to measure electricity accurately within a circuit, and connecting the neutral wire to ground is a standard practice.
In absence of the neutral wire, can one use the ground wire to replace the neutral in domestic usage.?
Using the ground wire as a replacement for the neutral wire is not safe or recommended. The two serve different purposes, and using the ground wire as a neutral can lead to safety hazards, voltage issues, interference, and legal problems.