Difference Between Earthing And Neutral

 Earthing and neutral are two important connections used in wiring, they are an essential part of wiring used for safety purposes, they prevent electrical equipment from the damage due to fluctuations. Before understanding the difference between earthing and neutral, first, let us understand the terms earthing and neutral.

To understand what is earthing and neutral point, we will look at a three-pin electrical socket that we use in our everyday life. The current that is supplied for a household is carried by a three-phase circuit. That is the reason every socket used for any electrical equipment is preferred to be three-pin. The three pins correspond to earth, neutral, and phase. The phase line is the one that carries current, the neutral line provides the return path to balance the flow of current, and finally earthing is purely used for safety purposes.


Earthing:

Earth or ground is a precautionary connection made in AC connections to prevent damage due to fluctuations. The main use of earthing is for human safety from electrical shock. Any electrical equipment when it gets in contact with the metal surfaces will result in electrical shock. Earthing will provide a low resistance path that will direct extra electricity to the ground.

Neutral:

The neutral wire is used for providing a return path for the flow of current in an AC circuit. The neutral wire carries no current, yet without neutral wire the AC circuit is incomplete. In any electrical circuit, the neutral wire will redirect the path of the electrical current to its source point. The neutral wire or neutral point in a three-phase circuit is the node where the sum of current will be zero and it is known as a zero potential point. In an AC circuit, the earth and the neutral point must be at the same potential, ideally, the potential difference between the two will be zero.

The major neutral and earth difference is both used for the sake of safety purpose.




Difference Between Earth and Neutral
Earth
Neutral
It is the least resistance path and is used as a safety purpose against residual currentsIn an AC circuit which carries current in normal condition, it is the return path, it balances the load
In normal condition, it doesn’t carry any current but in case of insulation failure, it might carry minor currentA neutral wire is always charged
It cannot be turned into neutralIt can be turned into earth
It can come from a neutral line or can be separately executedIt comes from a neutral line
Earth is the surging point of appliancesNeutral is the return path of the electrical current supply, it is also called a reference 



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