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This could mean a couple of different things. At some point in the power distribution system, the neutral bus is normally tied to the ground bus. If the neutral is not grounded, this could be called a floating neutral. More often, the term is used to describe a load, such as a light fixture or motor where the neutral wire has accidentally not been connected. The hot wire is live, but the device does not function. The neutral wire normally provides the return path for current to flow. This is a very dangerous situation. The live voltage flows from the hot wire, through the load, then into the neutral wire. If the neutral is not connected (grounded), it becomes hot! Everyone knows the hot wire can bite you, but we normally expect the neutral to be dead. We may carelessly handle the neutral, thinking it is dead, but if it is floating (unconnected), it could be live. Many people have been killed in this fashion. <><><>
As always, if you are in doubt about what to do, the best advice anyone should give you is to call a licensed electrician to advise what work is needed.
Before you do any work yourself,
on electrical circuits, equipment or appliances,
always use a test meter to ensure the circuit is, in fact, de-energized.
IF YOU ARE NOT ALREADY SURE YOU CAN DO THIS JOB
SAFELY AND COMPETENTLY
REFER THIS WORK TO QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS.
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How do you identify that in the system the neutral is floating or not?
do a continuity test between the neutral and the metal enclosure of the equipment containing the neutral. infinity reading [ open line ] indicates floating neutral. Steve sorensen jr
How do you avoid floating neutral?
The neutral of a generator should never get into a condition where is is floating. All generators have the neutral tied to the frame of the generator set. It comes this way from the manufacturer. If it is floating then someone has disconnected the neutral wire from the frame. Just reconnect the neutral to the generator frame again to stop it from floating. Larger generators should also have a ground rod connected to the generator frame for grounding purposes.
Why floating neutral in a three phase supply is undesirable?
Floating neutral in 3 phase supply is undesirable as if the same thing occurs then there will be bad effect for all single phase equipment which we are using as phase to neutral voltage will exceed from its normal value and it will harm the equipments.
Voltage across Neutral and earth for a 3 phase auto transformer?
A grounded neutral will be at earth potential. A floating neutral will be at a voltage dependent upon the voltage imbalance between phases, and the design of the transformer.
Why you need neutral conductor?
To complete the circuit. The word neutral is a convention it does not mean it has no purpose
