AC power system basics [RE-wrenches]

[William Miller]

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Drake:

I am mystified as to why one would think a neutral wire is not 
dangerous.  First of all a lay person should assume all wires are 
dangerous-- it's common sense and a very common reaction.  Secondly, an 
experienced electrician will know that a neutral with a load, when 
disconnect from the neutral bus, will carry the circuit voltage at whatever 
amperage the load will support.  Are you under the impression a white wire 
is or should be intrinsically safe, or did I misunderstand your message?

Furthermore, those of us who have fried appliances by inadvertently 
disconnected the neutral on a multi-wire branch circuit know even more 
thoroughly the implications of a disconnected neutral.  (I get most of my 
lessons the hard way).

It seems to me that white is the logical color for a grounded DC or AC lead 
and that any conductor should be respected as energized unless proven 
otherwise.

William Miller

PS:  With all due respect, I am starting to think that, even though there 
are many very talented people in this industry, there may be some lack of 
fundamental understanding about standard AC power distribution amongst 
us.  I recall the recent discussion about powering one apartment by running 
an extension cord from another.  Basic understanding about how a very 
common AC power system works should have supplied the answer and common 
sense should prevent anyone from even attempting that idea.

Again, no criticism meant in regards to anyone on this list.  It is crucial 
for the good of entire solar industry that all of us have adequate 
training, but I am wondering how complete that training is.

WM

PPS:  If anyone here has questions about the above and wants to ask me off 
list, I am happy to elaborate.  Don't be shy, this is important stuff and 
you need to learn it somewhere....

WM


At 05:07 PM 12/10/2007, you wrote:

>We shouldn't continue to have very dangerous wires colored white, even if 
>they are grounded most of the time.  It can become one of the two most 
>dangerous wires in a residence, the other being the DC positive.  I agree 
>that the Code requires the wire to be white, at present at least.
>
>Drake
>


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