In the U.S. Power is commonly distributed as three phase AC power with three wires coming from the power plant. How is the circuit completed? There is no neutral 'return' wire. Also pole mounted transformers for residences typically tap into one phase for the supply side of the transformer. How is this circuit completed? One wire goes in the supply side, where is the wire 'from' the supply side? I saw a picture of a pole mounted transformer that suggested that the other 'side' is connected to ground. Wouldn't that create a ground fault?
Hi Tim L, Three-phase systems may or may not have a neutral wire. A neutral wire allows the three-phase system to use a higher voltage while still supporting lower-voltage single-phase appliances. In high-voltage distribution situations, it is common not to have a neutral wire as the loads can simply be connected between phases (phase-phase connection).
The earth, ground, common wire is effectively the same as neutral. The reason a neutral wire is used is to overcome the resistance of the earth back to the transformer and / or power station. The Earth is carrying electricity all the time.
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