Phase & Neutral swap detection

[sam_sundar]

How can i detect swap of phase & neutral wires in system which does not have any earth connection.

Is there something which could be done to sense phase voltage w.r.t through inductive or capacitive coupling

 

[barry]

in practice, neutral is tied to ground at the breaker box. If you don’t have a ground (earth) connection, there’s no way to identify which wire is connected to it.

 

[barry]

Further, if you don't have a ground connection in your system then why do you care what's neutral? Hot and neutral come in through a transformer; the only thing that makes neutral "neutral" is the fact that it's physically connected to ground.

 

[andre_luis]

Let's agree that, if there is no Earth, there is no safety issue at first sight, so as said, don't mather "polarity".
However, if proper Phase/Neutral connection matter, it is time to consider adding the Earth there.

 

[BradtheRad]

Years ago it was common for metal faucets and radiators to provide a path to soil. (It's no longer a certainty these days as plastic pipes are common.)

Besides that, appliances might carry live house voltage on their metal cabinets since wall plugs fit into an outlet in either direction, due to having only two prongs.

We risked electrocution if we simultaneously touched a live item and a grounded item. Or standing barefoot in water while touching a miswired lamp, radio, hair dryer, etc.

If you can determine whether the plumbing is grounded, then you can test which slot of a receptacle is live by jerry-rigging a lamp or meter.

 

[cupoftea]

How can i detect swap of phase & neutral wires in system which does not have any earth connection.

When you say this, do you mean there is no earth connection to neutral at your household breaker box...but there is at the supply transformer?
BTW....an electricians forum would also be very good for your question.

 

[ElectroEngine]

How can i detect swap of phase & neutral wires in system which does not have any earth connection.

Is there something which could be done to sense phase voltage w.r.t through inductive or capacitive coupling

Hi
This device is available
Search " Alborz Ertebat " or " LNC-DSP1 " in Google or Youtube
Good Luck

 

[Easy peasy]

All equipment is or should be designed such that phase and neutral are interchangable - if it is not - then arguably the equipment is unsafe.