On Sun, 23 Apr 2006 22:41:12 GMT, Telamon
wrote:


Now this relationship of both secondary leads from the last transformer
to your house is usually modified at the input panel. Now here come
another concept where things purposely change. One of these secondary
wires is connected to EARTH GROUND through a GROUND ROD. This wire
becomes the "NEUTRAL" because it is neutralized to ground through the
connection to the ground rod. Now the other secondary wire has
alternating voltage on it RELATIVE to EARTH GROUND and is called the
hot wire.


Now if the hot wire contacts the cabinet there is a short circuit to
earth ground blowing the fuse or breaker in the power panel. This
prevents AC power from going through YOU to EARTH GROUND.

This green wire is for safety purposes and does not normally but can
carry the return current to power a device or appliance in case of an
internal fault.

Have you ever had to deal with a 3 wire 3 phase power drop (i.e.
without a neutral)? Not very common. Drives electricians nuts.