How dangerous break the neutral wire in the mains ?

Types of damage

on the riser entrance

to start in general will look at what the power grid of the city high-rise building.The power source in this case is a transformer substation, from which wires are stretched to the main switchboard construction.Tension in the main panel three-phase, ie, a network of 380 volts.It has displayed a group of wires for each apartment.The apartments themselves have a single-phase network - 220 V. If there is an open porch on the common ground riser, this may cause the output of home appliances malfunction.This inequality leads to - in a three-phase power scheme will phase shift and instead of a symmetrical load is formed asymmetrical passing in four-wire circuit.

simple words can explain it like this: the same voltage is applied to the main guard at the entrance to each individual apartment - 220 V. If there is an open neutral wire, it may happen that one apartment will go to 300 volts, and the other 170 (asexample).Result - overvoltage and "under-voltage" will cause the electrical output of the system.Usually, if there is damage to the ground, broken appliances, having motor: washing machine, refrigerator, air conditioning, etc.Besides fire may occur even worse.

Inside the dwelling

Quite the opposite situation can occur with zero interruption in the single-phase 220 V, that is, inside your apartment or private house in the country.In this case, all the equipment will work, as well as worked earlier, but the consequence may be electric shock to persons.This happens because in the socket, you will have not one but two phase.Now we will tell what caused the emergence of a two-phase power supply in the apartment.

From your introductory panel the current passes through the phase conductor as well as the majority of electricity consumers are constantly connected to the network (the same chandelier), in case of interruption of the phase voltage goes to zero.The result - in the two-hole outlet will present an electric current.But that's not the worst thing, becausethe main danger lies in the fact that an electric shock may occur by any technique.The reason for this - the wrong network grounding system in an apartment or house.If you connect the "ground" in the control panel to the zero bus (which you can not do), when touching ground household appliances you immediately electric shock.The consequences, as you know, could be dire.Immediately provide to you the correct version of protection against break ground in the home - network grounding system TN S:

Summarizing about the consequences of breaking the ground in three-phase and single-phase supply, note the following: if damaged neutral conductor onriser porch danger spread to household appliances, and if damaged the working zero in most apartment threat spread to you.

see what might happen if the neutral conductor breaks off, you can on this video:

How to danger?

To find the damaged area of ​​the neutral conductor, you can use special tester, which can accurately show where the break occurred even under the walls, as shown in the photo below (if unfinished).For information on how to find a wire in the wall, we were told in the corresponding article.

Another search option - a visual inspection of the entire chain.Look at all the wiring in the control panel.Maybe a zero otgorel on one of the machines that are not difficult to identify and eliminate.If the neutral wire breakage occurred at the entrance of the riser, there's is not Your will and troubleshooting utilities or special service, they will call for inspection of the power transformer and the secondary circuit as well.

How secure your home electrical wiring?

To protect household electric breakage neutral wire is necessary to use special devices: relay control and voltage limiters.Recommended sure to connect these devices to the introductory panel, to protect themselves against the adverse effects.

Reasons phenomenon

Well, the last thing I would like to tell you - why there is an open ground in the apartment.The reasons may be many, but the most real, judging by the comments on the forums and personal experience can be distinguished:

1. burning-off of the neutral conductor at a jump voltage or short circuit.
2. poor connectivity lived a poor connection.
3. Mechanical damage to line elements (for example, when a strong wind) or human negligence during repair work.
4. wiring is old and worn out wires simply time.
5. Theft or malicious intent (sometimes it happens).

Here we examined the types and consequences of breaking the ground in three-phase and single-phase network, as well as ways to protect against this phenomenon and tips for troubleshooting.If you make a proper grounding in a private home, as well as to protect the wires with special devices, when zero is interrupted, no troubles will not happen!

Also read:

• How to determine the phase and zero the instrument without
• Why in the bathroom has a current
• What better put: Emergency circuit breakers or RCD?