Why neutral? (And why 20 characters in a thread title)?

[hightower]

Every loose, chargrilled connection I've come across has been with the neutral conductor, never the line. Now, I've had a drink so go steady, but why is it so? Why doesn't the line arc and chargrill? Is it just I haven't seen enough yet? The drunken theory in my head is any current that arcs in a neutral could potentially arc the same in a line. So what am I missing?

 

[telectrix]

this has been debated several times. one school of thought is poor connections on the neutral side by muppets who think it's less important than the line. others have some theories regarding heating effects on the N caused by somethings called electrons. basically, your guess is a s good as anybody's. i've seen both L and N charred, so you might just have been unlucky in the L vs N contest.

 

[The Ghost]

Think I'll stay neutral on this one.

 

[The Ghost]

well the electrons travel the other way to "conventional current"

 

[westward10]

I agree with Tel have have seen both sides charred. The line is often tightened to destruction while the neutral and cpc come to that are overlooked.

 

[Wilko]

I'd like to like a few of these posts, even the whole thread. But since I can't I will just but I'll just have to have another drink.
Edit : Oops -affluence of incahol

 

[westward10]

LIKE that Wilko.
What you on I have a glass of Pinot.

 

[telectrix]

well the electrons travel the other way to "conventional current"

ah. but with a.c. they don't. they oscillate. first one way, then the other. a bit like the labour party.

 

[The Ghost]

Aha! indeed didn't think of that was just thinking d.c.

 

[hightower]

D.c. or a.c. whatever goes through one must go through the other.

I'm drinking something called kwak, 8.odd percent

 

[Wilko]

We'll all duck then ...

 

[westward10]

D.c. or a.c. whatever goes through one must go through the other.

I'm drinking something called kwak, 8.odd percent

Is that legal

 

[Deleted member 72666]

.... But they manage to be mostly in the line in plugs and socket outlets, or did I dream it?

 

[Wilko]

LIKE that Wilko.
What you on I have a glass of Pinot.

It was Malbec ...

 

[Pat H]

Pretty sure when I saw the info re the metal enclosures for CCUs it was in part due to loose neutral connections. It does indeed seem that more than a few sparks think the L has to be tight and the neutral they pa less attention to...

 

[davesparks]

Has this always been the case that the neutral seems to be more susceptible than a live, or is it a more modern trend?

I'm just thinking that maybe the increasing use of electronics which can create harmonic neutral currents could somehow be related?

 

[Andy-1960]

Has this always been the case that the neutral seems to be more susceptible than a live, or is it a more modern trend?

I'm just thinking that maybe the increasing use of electronics which can create harmonic neutral currents could somehow be related?

I was thinking along the same lines, but I'm thinking this would only really apply in three phase systems which is why half size neutrals are becoming a thing of the past.

 

[MisterE]

Once upon a time... (before the days of moulded plugs) when I worked as a TV/Video Tech. when checking the plug connections on equipment with intermittent power, it was invariably the neutral that was loose.

 

[Deleted member 26818]

Remember that with d.c. current actually flows from the negative to the positive.

 

[7029 dave]

It is due to the molecular construction of the flue flue valve.?

 

[7029 dave]

It is due to the molecular construction of the flue flue valve.?

 

[Phil Thompson]

i notice it's the neutral at the high load items like showers and cookers. Generally it's a loose connection on the load side, although a decent one was a loose neutral at the actual shower and had burnt the pullcord out as well.

Double sockets tends to be the line that's loose & burnt out.

 

[Wilko]

It is due to the molecular construction of the flue flue valve.?

I think if you combine that with the gyroscopic wobulator synchronisation issues you're onto it ...

 

[Marvo]

Has this always been the case that the neutral seems to be more susceptible than a live, or is it a more modern trend?

I'm just thinking that maybe the increasing use of electronics which can create harmonic neutral currents could somehow be related?

Increased harmonics from electronic power supplies, especially in the triplen range could be the cause of higher neutral termination failures. Also poor quality neutral bars with single screw terminations and almost no brass content probably don't help either.

 

[static zap]

Is it as simple as any muppet with a volt stick can find Line faults ,
but when it all goes live , they get confused and run away , leaving Neutral to char ?

 

[gazdkw82]

i'm the opposite. iv come across more burnt line than neutral.

That being said, you've probably seen way more than me.

 

[static zap]

.... But they manage to be mostly in the line in plugs and socket outlets, or did I dream it?

That's due to dirty fuse holders ,tired -poor contact presure !
Hot live pin then takes it out on socket ( a Square black eye - I miss the round ones )