Why is there a distinction between Neutral and Line in AC

[raymondchan]

Since they have the same voltage in respect to each other. I know Line has voltage in respect to earth, but Neutral does not and is sometimes connected to earth, so maybe there is a phase difference between the two, but it seems like when you connect AC to a power supply input, the power supply would work whether you connect AC Line to it's Line or Neutral

Thanks!

 

[jallem]

Re: Why is there a distinction between Neutral and Line in A

Neutral is the return of current. In old system delta distribution
the customer received a line(monophase, bi-phase or tri-phase)
and the "ground" connection. In new system the customer
receive the line, a neutral and a ground. The neutral is used
for current return and the ground is used to "fault" current.
When a hot line touch the chassis the fault current goes to
ground for protection. In normal condiction the neutral carries
the return current. If the ground is used to return current may
creates stray current since there is not a straight path.
Some stray current can be as high as to kill
a cow(is not a joke). The cows are in contact with the ground all the
time and legs separation are greater than humans. see
**broken link removed** and
**broken link removed**
Stray current is very common in sub-station where a small distance
means a big potential differentail.

 

[zaal]

a better question would have been : what's the difference between earth and neutral ?

simple answer to ur question:neutral provides return path for the current!

 

[raymondchan]

Re: Why is there a distinction between Neutral and Line in A

So, why do a power supply that converts from AC to DC have labels at the input saying N and L, when either way seems to work. If you connect L from AC outlet to N input of Power Supply, it still works?