[Main] Difference Between Neutral and Earth Explained

The main difference between Neutral and Earth is, The wire coming from the node of the three-phase star connection having zero potential respect to the earth or ground is called Neutral and when the metallic body of any equipment is connected to ground with a wire it is called Earthing. In this article, you will find all the key differences between Earth and Neutral.

If you see the below figure carefully then you will understand easily the difference between Neutral and Earth.

As you see in the above figure, a simple diagram of an electrical power distribution system is given. The distribution transformer has a delta connection in primary winding and star connection in the secondary winding. There are three single-phase loads are connected. Each load takes a phase wire and a neutral wire. The three loads are equally divided into three phases. A three phase load also connected which takes three phases from the supply and does not take the neutral wire.

As you see the neutral wire comes from the center node of the star connection in the transformer and it is used to provide single phase power supply. The metallic body or noncurrent carrying parts of each load are connected to ground or earth which is called Earthing.

Difference Between Neutral and Earth

1.      Neutral help to provides single phase power supply from the three-phase power supply whereas earthing helps to give protection to human from electrical shock.

2.      In normal condition neutral carries the load current but in normal condition, earth wire does not carry any current. Only during the fault condition, earth wire carries the fault current.

3.      According to Indian Electricity(I.E) rule, black color must be used for neutral wire and whereas green color should be used for earth wire.

4.      Neutral is must need to run a single phase load. But a single phase load can run without earth wire.

5.      For three phase load neutral is not required but earthing is required for safety purpose.

6.      Earth wire provides the protection the wires from the lightning in three-phase overhead transmission line whereas the neutral is not used in the transmission line.

Read Also:

• [Explained] Does Neutral Wire Give Electrical Shock or Not?
• [Main] Function and Purpose of Neutral Wire in Electrical Circuit
• [Actual] Purpose and Function of Earth Wire
• Main Difference Between Earthing and Grounding

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