Nøytraledere

Nøytraledere, also known as neutral conductors or neutral wires, are a crucial component in AC electrical power systems. They provide a return path for the current from the load back to the source. In a typical three-phase system, the neutral conductor is connected to the neutral point of the star connection of the generator or transformer. This neutral point is usually grounded at the source for safety.

The primary function of the neutral conductor is to carry any unbalanced current that may arise in a three-phase system. In a perfectly balanced system, where the loads are equal on all three phases, the currents in the neutral conductor would theoretically be zero. However, in real-world scenarios, loads are rarely perfectly balanced, leading to a residual current flowing through the neutral.

Without a neutral conductor, single-phase loads connected between one phase and ground would not function correctly, as there would be no complete circuit. The neutral conductor ensures that all connected single-phase loads receive the correct voltage relative to the neutral, which is typically at or near ground potential.

It is important to note that while the neutral conductor is often at or near ground potential, it is not the same as a ground wire. The ground wire is a safety conductor intended to carry fault currents to the ground, protecting people from electric shock. The neutral conductor is an operational conductor carrying normal operating current. Tampering with or disconnecting the neutral conductor can lead to dangerous voltage fluctuations and safety hazards.