What happens when a neutral wire touches a earth wire?

If that branch behind an RCD is completely unloaded and no appliance is using it, nothing
will happen. Nothing will happen if there's no RCD in that branch. But if there is an RCD
and some running appliances, it will trip it.
Written Oct 12, 2015 View Upvotes
Upvote2 Downvote
Comment
Sha re

Omar Luis Curetti, EEE

755 Views

Larrys answer is OK, just to add something: neutral is grounded at substation so that
differential voltage is related as how unevenly loaded are the three phases and the vector
from substation ground to your house ground may point in any direction with respect to
your phase hence the current between grounds, if this is more than 90 degrees from your
phase and the wattimeter is wrongly wired sensing neutral current rather than live current,
it will start runnig backwards! (happens to me at student house)
Written Oct 6, 2015 View Upvotes
Upvote1 Downvote
Comment
Sha re

Rakesh Kumar Verma, I am qualified Electrical Engineer.

1.1k Views

If neutral wire is perfectly balanced than nothing will happened.

But mostly neutral wire found slightly unbalanced and little sparking may found upon
touching of neutral wire to earth.
This unbalanced happened due unbalancing of load on three phases.
Written Oct 7, 2015 View Upvotes
Upvote8 Downvote
Comments1+
Sha re

Michael D. Hockenberry, 30 years as an electrical instructor

602 Views

If there is the remaining balance on the neutral wire from a live load, then all of the grounds
are now carrying current. DANGER...
Written Oct 7, 2015 View Upvotes
Upvote1 Downvote
Comment
Sha re

Larry English, electrical engineer

572 Views

nothing, really..
they may have a slight voltage difference, which would cause some current to flow in both
wires..
it might trip a GFCI

f live wire touches neutral wire what will happen?

If the live wire touches the neutral wire will a short circuit occur?
Also, If the live wire touches the earth wire what happens?
1 following
4 answers
Report Abuse

Answers
Relevance

Best Answer: In the US, where its only 120 v, the circuit will shorted out when live touches earth.
But if it touches a neutral, boom.....
But since you're in Singapore, where its 240 v......urgh.....don't even think about it.
It'll knock you out cold.....
ID88 5 years ago
0

Thumbs up
0
Thumbs down
Comment
Report Abuse

(1) In case of live wire touches the neutral wire ( of the same system ) , than there will be a short circuit.
In that event protective devices such as circuit breaker or line-fuse are supposed operate/trip

(2) In case of live wire touches the earth wire , than earth fault current shall flow through the earth wire.
The magnitude of earth fault current shall depend upon the type of earthing done to the neutral of the
supply system.
(a) If the system is solidly earthed , then the earth fault current shall be almost equal to the short circuit
current as mentioned under (1)
(b) If the earthing is done through a resistance than the earth fault current will be restricted by the
resistance.
(c) If the earthing is open , than the fault current will be negligible such as capacitor current.
half1951wit0202 5 years ago
0
Thumbs up
0
Thumbs down
Comment
Report Abuse

it will become lifneu wire

and it will form a new wire and new power
THIS HAPPENED IN MY SCHOOL AT AUSTON,AUSTRALIA

Source(s):my science teacher in australia told this

Charan 9 months ago
0
Thumbs up
0
Thumbs down
Comment
Report Abuse

Arms and legs r blown off don't try it not worth it

Source(s):My dads friend did it