Calling my electric teacher’s bluff

[Sabr7]

Context: this is the 24 volt side of a 120 input transformer.

So he said the last line will cause a direct short. Really? One line is hot and neutral so if there is ever a direct connection, I’m thinking it would be a return path for the power.

If it were 3 phase, and phase to phase connection then I would agree.

If I’m wrong, I’m all ears for an explanation.


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[shellkamp]

He's correct

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[beenthere]

Thats a short.

[Elfshadow]

Yup a short..... Why do you want that line there?

[Sabr7]

Would this blow the transformer


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[Sabr7]

Yup a short..... Why do you want that line there?

I didn’t have it there in class, but someone else had it so I added it to mine just to pose this question


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[beenthere]

Would this blow the transformer


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Yes it would.

[ehsx]

No bluff....

[Sabr7]

It’s starting to make sense now, what threw me off was thinking that the neutral line returns unused voltage. This is true but only trace amounts.


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[dandyme]

You will definitely come to the realization that all things electrical operate on magic smoke, let that magic smoke out and the electric item will cease to operate.

[Elfshadow]

The problem is related to how you calculate amps.

You really need to figure it out yourself though so that it sticks.

[ehsx]

It’s starting to make sense now, what threw me off was thinking that the neutral line returns unused voltage. This is true but only trace amounts.


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Full voltage, not trace. Need more time on basic electricity.

[jbhenergy]

The generic simple thing I always said was “something needs to consume or eat the voltage before it gets back to the neutral.” Weather it is a light bulb a coil on a contactor or what have you. Just my easy way to remember it.


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[heatingman]

It’s starting to make sense now, what threw me off was thinking that the neutral line returns unused voltage. This is true but only trace amounts.


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Not exactly.

Neutral completes the circuit. Without it, nothing happens.

Need 3 things.

Source, path, load.

Source in this case is the transformer. But could be a battery, utility, generator etc...

Path is the physical wires (and case ground in a car or similar) and any switches.

Load is anything consuming power

Any complete path connected to a source without a load is a short circuit.

Think of the circuit like a circle.

Complete the circle with a load between the 2 sides of the source


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[Sabr7]

Thanks for your explanations, this sheds light on my lack of clarity on the neutral, and honestly even googling the ‘purpose of the neutral wire’ doesn’t add any clarity


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[Sabr7]

Not exactly.

Neutral completes the circuit. Without it, nothing happens.

Need 3 things.

Source, path, load.

Source in this case is the transformer. But could be a battery, utility, generator etc...

Path is the physical wires (and case ground in a car or similar) and any switches.

Load is anything consuming power

Any complete path connected to a source without a load is a short circuit.

Think of the circuit like a circle.

Complete the circle with a load between the 2 sides of the source


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Got it, this, coupled with the other explanations makes me understand. I think I was looking into it more than what’s necessary.

Always complete the circuit and give the electricity a job to do


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[heatingman]

Got it, this, coupled with the other explanations makes me understand. I think I was looking into it more than what’s necessary.

Always complete the circuit and give the electricity a job to do


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Listen. No rush. Take your time, ask questions. The only dumb question is the one you don’t ask.

Quite literally having a solid grasp on the basic concepts of how electricity works is the most important thing you can do to ensure success in this career.

Lots of knowledge here to glom onto.

We were all where you are at some point.

Hopefully your getting lots of lab time in your school


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[HVACmedic911]

It’s starting to make sense now, what threw me off was thinking that the neutral line returns unused voltage. This is true but only trace amounts.


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There must be a resistance between the got leg and the neutral in order for it not to become a direct short.. light bulb, motor, etc etc

A saturated coil is a happy coil

[2sac]

No such thing as unused voltage.

[jbhenergy]

Listen. No rush. Take your time, ask questions. The only dumb question is the one you don’t ask.

Quite literally having a solid grasp on the basic concepts of how electricity works is the most important thing you can do to ensure success in this career.

Lots of knowledge here to glom onto.

We were all where you are at some point.

Hopefully your getting lots of lab time in your school


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Except the guru that graced us for a while. He was master electrician and service tech before he left the womb.


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