Should you connect zero to ground? Information you need to keep you safe

  • Dec 14, 2020

Very often, the average user confuses the concept of "zero" and "earth", and even more often - they link them together, which is strictly prohibited! Combining the neutral and grounding bus into one can lead to serious consequences, so you should understand well what a zero line is and what is grounding.

What is zero?

The working "zero" (there is also a protective one, the so-called zeroing) comes to the consumer from the power plant. Simply put, the working zero is the connection of those very three phase windings, through which the electric current returns back to the source, leaving a certain part of it for useful work. Thus, the law of conservation of energy is confirmed.

The neutral conductor does not carry a life-threatening potential, therefore it can be used as a protective circuit. Such a system is called grounding, and such installation is not considered prohibited, but quite the opposite. And it is quite another matter when the neutral conductor is connected to ground, which cannot be done.

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Why is it necessary to install a separate ground loop

Why do grounding if you can always run a separate wire from "zero"?

Everything is very simple:

  • Grounding is a separate circuit that does not depend on the operating "zero".
  • Grounding does not carry a dangerous potential except for those situations when a "phase" breaks down on any household appliance or device.
Figure 1: Correctly Fitted Grounding Bar

Some uninformed users sometimes use the ground loop as a working "zero", which also cannot be done. The ground loop is a circuit that carries an exclusively protective function, therefore, it requires appropriate and reliable installation.

Why connect "zero" to "ground" and where it is necessary to do it

So why connect "zero" and "earth"? Answer: to protect the network, or rather, its users. But you need to know exactly where in the electrical circuit the two data circuits should be connected.

Important! Grounding, installed in the immediate vicinity of the house, must be connected to the neutral wire before the circuit breaker, and not after it.
Figure 2: Grounding from the neutral bus

After the circuit breaker, the working "zero" must go directly to its own, separate bus. Thus, a separate conductor before the entrance to the bag can be used as a ground loop, and after it - as a working "zero".

Can grounding be used?

Can. At least the regulatory documentation does not prohibit such installation. But zeroing carries some danger that you should be aware of.

When the neutral conductor burns out in the switchboard, a dangerous voltage will appear on it, which will go from the "phase". This is not only dangerous for the life and health of users, but also for electronic equipment. For example, modern computers are unlikely to withstand this.

Figure 3: Burning off the neutral wire in the shield

Therefore, in modern private houses, the owners prefer to install a separate ground loop, and use the working "zero" for its intended purpose. Simple, reliable and most importantly - safe.